Meanwhile at Fairyhouse on Saturday Willie Mullins virtually ruled out the Bonusprint Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham next month for Be My Royal after Violet O'Leary's gelding lost his unbeaten record over hurdles in the INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle.
Despite been burdened with top-weight of twelve stone, the three-time winner over the smaller obstacles was sent off the warm 6/4 favourite but he failed to deliver for Garrett Cotter eventually coming home in seventh place behind Tom Taaffe's 4/1 chance Good Shuil.
'There's little point in going for the stayers after that,' said a dejected Mullins of Be My Royal while a delighted Tom Taaffe said, of the winner; ' Today was his Cheltenham. It will be hard to find another good opportunity here as I don't want to take on the real pros so I wouldn't rule out a trip across the water. You'll see the true horse when he goes chasing next season.'
Edward O'Grady's hunter Sheltering completed his domestic preparation for next month's Foxhunters when making every yard a winning one under a confident Philip Fenton in the Hurley River Hunters Chase.
Winner of nine races over the larger obstacle on the racecourse, O'Grady was over the moon with his prolific scorer: 'I thought he was impressive today and hopefully that will put him right for Cheltenham. He's come to himself this year and I'm very pleased with him.' Sheltering is 3/1 favourite (unchanged) with Cashmans for the Foxhunters.
O'Grady and Philip Fenton also finished the session on a winning note when Over The Bar made all to win the finale at the expense of the well touted Bassett Tiger. 'He'll be entered for the bumper at Cheltenham but I don't know whether he's good enough. I'll have to talk to JP (McManus)', said O'Grady after Over The Bar recorded an emphatic thirteen length success.
Jim Dreaper ended a barren spell when sending out Alpha Blues to land the odds in the opening Rathoath GAA & Supporters Club Maiden Hurdle.
'Jim had to go back to the yard to attend a horse who is sick but he'll be thrilled as it's been a long time since he had a winner,' said Patricia Dreaper, wife of the local handler. Dreaper's last winner came courtesy of Ask The Umpire at Dundalk on the 12th May last year.
Conor O'Dwyer shared the riding honours with Phiip Fenton and also came away with a double sparked off with Shane Donohoe's Cregg House in the 3m1f handicap chase before he teamed up with Outlook Good for his boss Arthur Moore in the beginners chase.
Brian Fleming
