The Church Gate does connections proud again

The Church Gate recorded a third win for his enthusiastic Offaly-based Poor Mans Syndicate when taking the Irish Daily Star Christmas Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown.

The seven-year-old gelding has returned in great form this winter and was following up a victory at Fairyhouse last month. Lake Takapuna was all the rage in this 23-runner event, and early morning quotes of 6/1 were soon snapped up with Dermot Weld’s charge further supported on track from 9/2 into 11/4 favourite.

Robbie Power sent The Church Gate to the front after two out but was soon challenged by the favourite who looked a big threat going to the last.

However the Matthew Smith-trained 8/1 chance found much more than the market leader on the run-in going right away to score by five and a half lengths. Fruits Of Glory was a further eight lengths away in third, with Youngnedofthehill in fourth.

Power walked back to the winners’ enclosure without his partner but Kilmessan-based Smith explained, “It was just a precaution as he got heat exhaustion a couple of times last year. We unsaddled him and got water on him but he’s fine.

“He’s done it well, and he works like a good horse at home. I’m probably better off giving him time between his races.

“I don’t know where we will go next. The plan was to go to Fairyhouse and then wait until Christmas, and we’ll make a plan again now.”