Lantern shows he's one for the 'bigger track'

After finishing first and second at Fairyhouse at the beginning of last month, Paper Lantern and Tulpar again filled the gold and silver medal positions in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.

Trainer Karl Thornton and rider Donagh Meyler enjoyed a day to remember on this card twelve months back when Colms Dream landed the feature.

Here Paper Lantern came through from mid-division to get competitive from the fourth last. Tulpar led entering the straight but Paper Lantern got the best of it on the run-in to prevail by a length and three parts.

"I rode work on this horse the other day and felt he'd win. He didn't really handle the track (at Thurles) the last day. He's probably a better horse at a bigger track, and he might be suited by running in a better race carrying a nice weight," said Thornton.

"He's 109 over hurdles and had good runs in maidens. There is a rated race in Limerick the week after Cheltenham over two and a half miles and he might run in that."

(AM & EM)