Aurora fends off Katnap in opener

Aurora Bell held the renewed challenge of front-runner Katnap to claim the opening three-mile handicap chase at Down Royal this afternoon.

It looked set to be plain sailing for the 6/1 winner as he moved stylishly into the lead after the third last.

The John Burke-trained gelding, ridden by the handler's brother Martin, came under pressure going to the last however and had to pull out all the stops in the closing stages as Katnap pressed again.

The Beneficial gelding found more when needed to record a length-and-three-quarters success.

It was a first start in handicap company for Aurora Bell, who had been third behind Prince De Beauchene in a hunter chase at Thurles last month.

The trainer's father Paddy said afterwards:- "We'll play it by ear and look for another handicap for him. He seems to be a fairly good horse. He jumped very well.

"He's cute and he's improving. We'll go another step with him. I'm only training four horses. We break a lot of horses. We would have 10 or 12 breakers all the time. "

Jockey Martin added: "It's a bit tacky down the back."

The winner carries the colours made famous by Dunguib and Daniel Harnett, who part-owned the star hurdler, said:-

"We were very confident today. The handicapper gave him 110 after his run behind Prince de Beauchene and we were pleased with that.

"He's a full brother to Vesper Bell who is an out-and-out stayer. We'll try to get into the big handicaps with him off a light weight."

4/1 favourite Mr Shankly came under pressure a long way from home and pulled up before the fourth last while another leading fancy Ardmillan hit the fourth last and failed to pick up the front two in the closing stages, finishing third.

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)