Snow Falcon wins for Meade and Fox

Snow Falcon made all in the two and a half mile hurdle at Naas but had to survive a blunder at the second last before taking first prize.

Ger Fox soon got him on an even keel after that mistake but Cliffside Park in second got a scent of victory in his nostrils.

Both horses were ridden approaching the final hurdle where Snow Falcon led by a length and a half.

The leader jumped the last well and forged on strongly to beat Cliffside Park into second by three lengths.

The winner was returned the 9/10 favourite having been supported from evens down to 8/11 this morning.

Trainer Noel Meade said: "That'll do the horse and jockey the world of good. He just stays and stays and ground it out. I'd say three miles will be right up his alley.

"We'll continue over hurdles with him. He's rated highly and will have to run in conditions hurdles.

"His jumping is still not brilliant and hopefully it will get better as he goes along. He's not a huge scopey horse so we'll stay hurdling and see where he goes.

"There is the race at Navan but Monksland might run in that and they have the same owner. We'll be looking for something long as two-and-a-half is his minimum.

"He'll get an entry in the Grade One at Christmas and we'll see what happens.

"He goes that gallop well but he just doesn't pick up much."

On former Grade Two winning hurdler Monksland, who was last seen when unplaced in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham, Meade said: "He has stayed very sound so far, touch wood. We have been swimming him three days and working him three.

"He's very fit at the moment and would be fitter than he was at any stage last season.

"The problem all along was when we did a bit with him something went wrong.

"We entered him for a beginners' chase but Paul, who owns him, said we might start off over hurdles.

"He's in good shape."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson