Moore glory for impressive Tiger as he lowers Chatham Street Lad's colours
The Mick Winters-trained Chatham Street Lad was the main attraction in the the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase as he attempted to follow up last month's impressive Caspian Caviar Gold Cup success at Cheltenham, but the Grade A contest proved a bridge too far as he finished a well-beaten third behind the impressive Daly Tiger.
The Noel Meade-trained eight-year-old had already landed a valuable and competitive handicap chase at Punchestown in November over 2m3f before running poorly here last month, but he was right back to his best this time.
Making steady progress from mid-division under Sean Flanagan, he took it up from Chatham Street Lad before the second-last and showed a telling turn of foot to put the race to bed between the last two fences to score by five lengths from the staying-on Pont Aven. Chatham Street Lad held on to third, seven lengths further back.
Flanagan said: "I fancied him here last time but he just never showed up. His work at home has been good, though, and he has put himself back on track.
"He's a horse with a big turn of foot and does plenty when he's on the bridle. You just have to get him switched off. He's a very quick horse and this trip is certainly not too sharp for him."
Paddy Power issued an opening quote of 16-1 for the winner for the Grand Annual at Cheltenham in March.
Elliott warms up for Punchestown
Envoi Allen is the horse at the centre of Gordon Elliott's thoughts this weekend, but the trainer warmed up for his star chaser's outing at Punchestown on Sunday with a 120-1 treble.
Two stable newcomers in the Robcour colours topped and tailed the card. The Jamie Codd-ridden Gerri Colombe made light work of his opponents in the concluding bumper and got an introductory quote of 14-1 from Paddy Power for the Champion Bumper, a race he may not be aimed at.
In the opener, French import Teahupoo might well be of more interest as far as this season goes. His victory in the opening juvenile hurdle under Robbie Power was made infinitely easier by the fall of odds-on favourite Youmdor at the last. The latter looked the likelier winner, but seeds of doubt are there due to the manner in which Elliott's charge picked up from the last and ran to the line.
Elliott said: "We had some luck on our side, but I asked Robbie if he was definitely beaten at the last and he said that he wasn't so sure. I loved the way he galloped from the last to the line, he's a lovely horse."
Paul Townend had one more ride and then stood himself down, feeling sore after his fall from Youmdor, although it is hoped he will be fit for Punchestown on Sunday.
First for Murphy
After Dot Love signed off her training career by winning a race named after her here earlier in the month, her successor at Charlestown Stud, Ciaran Murphy, saddled his first winner as a trainer when the Conor Orr-ridden Enjoy D'Allen landed the 2m5f novice chase.
"It's just a lovely feeling," he said.
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