Familiar sight as Clondaw Castle provides George with third success in Grade 3

The Grade 3 Close Brothers Handicap Chase has been run under various guises in recent years but Tom George always marks it in the calendar and recorded his third victory with Clondaw Castle.

There was a familiar feel to the race as the nine-year-old kicked clear for the trainer, who twice won the race with stable stalwart Nacarat.

"It's been a special race for us with Nacarat winning twice and Double Shuffle twice finishing second," said George.

Cape Gentleman powers clear in the DovecoteCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nacarat won Aintree's Bowl in 2011 and George is eager for Clondaw Castle to follow the same route, and added: "In the back of my mind, I had it to go from here to Aintree and I think, depending on what turns up, he's capable of doing what Nacarat did."

Mullins raid pays off

Emmet Mullins may have taken a few target-training tips from his uncle Willie as Cape Gentleman won the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle.

Mullins, based not far from his all-conquering relative in County Carlow, has made a fine start to his training career and won the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in November with The Shunter.

Cape Gentleman, who flopped at the Dublin Racing Festival this month, was only his third British runner of the season.

Hometown Boy pops a hurdle in style under Ciaran GethingsCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It was a very good training performance," said winning rider Jonjo O'Neill Jr. "He ran poorly last time but the considerable drop back in trip has helped him. Emmet said he was in good form at home and they can have blips every now and again."

O'Neill added the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle next month, for which Cape Gentleman was cut to 20-1 (from 40s) with Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power, could be the aim.

Home win for Gethings

Hometown Boy defied an absence of almost a year to win the 2m5f handicap hurdle, righting a wrong for jockey Ciaran Gethings.

Tamaroc Du Mathan (Harry Cobden) produces a spectacular leapCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Ciaran admitted that day he gave the horse a dreadful ride," said Edmunds, referencing his defeat to McFabulous 350 days ago. "I don't think he'd have beaten McFabulous, but it wasn't Ciaran's finest day and that's by his own admission, not mine."

Nicholls on the march

Paul Nicholls' domination of the Pendil Novices' Chase continued as Tamaroc Du Mathan gave him with his 11th winner in the Grade 2, which he won with star performers Frodon and Cyrname.

Asked if the six-year-old, who will be aimed at Aintree or Ayr in the spring, could follow a similar path, Nicholls said: "I think he could. They were good horses who progressed so who knows? He's only a young horse and he might do."

Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden completed a double thanks to My Way, who had things his own way in the 2m4½f handicap chase. Sadly, the stable's Southfield Stone was fatally injured at the meeting.

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