Arnaud measures the last well under Davy Russell at Downpatrick© Photo Healy Racing
Charles Byrnes' promising young chaser Arnaud returned to action with an impressive victory in the Customer Care Christmas Hurdle at Downpatrick.
The five-year-old (4-5 favourite) had first Rebel Fitz and then Steps To Freedom in second spot when winning his last two starts over fences, and he appeared to be perfectly happy dropping drop back to the smaller obstacles.
Davy Russell sent him straight to the front in the Gigginstown House Stud colours and he had main market rival Seskinane in trouble from three out before coasting to victory by an eased-down six and a half lengths.< Hold Em Cowboy was sent off the 4-7 favourite for the Downpatrick Handicap Chase and looked to be coming to win his race two out as he sought a follow-up to his hurdles victory at Navan earlier this month.
But Ruby Walsh's mount hit the obstacle hard and fell, leaving the way clear for Sarah Dawson's Slew Charm (18-1), who was still upsides at the time, to gallop clear for a five-and-a-half-length victory in the hands of Noel McParlan.
John Ryan's Kylecrue responded to first-time blinkers with a first career victory in a handicap hurdle earlier this month and toughed it out to follow up in the Seasons Greetings Beginners Chase.
The six-year-old (4-1 favourite) had both Silver Chief and Hidden Horizons to contend with after jumping the last in front, but found enough in the hands of Ryan Treacy to win by a length and a half.< Rasco appeared to have the beating of the odds-on Royal Captain jumping the last in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, but Leslie Young's 9-4 shot had to pull out the stops on the long run to the line to hang on by a length under Robbie Moran.
Liam Lennon's recent point-to-point winner Maple Valley Gold (14-1) was locked in battle with Seancill Oir from the last in the Bet With The Bookies Mares Maiden Hurdle and Rachel Blackmore got her home by a hard-fought half a length.
