Michael O'Brien realised a long held ambition by saddling 5/1 favourite Essex to take the E130,000 Pierse Hurdle in quite dramatic fashion at Leopardstown this afternoon.
The Cesarewitch winner was having only his fourth run over hurdles and Barry Geraghty had him close to the pace before deciding to kick clear two out.
The well-bred five-year-old gelding looked set for a wide-margin victory until losing all momentum with a very slow jump at the last, letting Mansony come almost alongside on the run-in.
However Geraghty got Essex - owned by the seven-member BPS Syndicate from the Athlone area - going again on the run to the line to score by a length, with a massive 12 lengths back to Al Eile in third.
'He wears cheek-pieces as he's inclined to look around, and he hit the front too soon,' said O'Brien afterwards before reflecting that his charge 'nearly threw it away at the last'.
He added, 'It's a hard race to win and I've been trying for years to win it. He'll probably go now for the Tote Gold Trophy at Newbury '
Cashmans make him their 8/1 favourite for the Newbury feature, and 25/1 (from 33's) for the Champion Hurdle.
Marcus Du Berlais, runner-up in last season's Irish Grand National, gained big race compensation when staying on strongly for Barry Cash to land the Pierse Leopardstown Chase.
The eight-year-old grey led at the second last in this three miles stamina test, and kept on really well after the last to beat Hersov by four lengths, with Golden Storm 1/2L back in third.
'He's a fresh horse having not run here at Christmas, and Barry gave him a great ride. The long-term plan is the Irish National with a run in-between,' said trainer Arthur Moore.
Newmill bounced back from a disappointing fifth here on St Stephens Day by landing the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase under Barry Geraghty.
The Thomas O'Leary-trained gelding was ridden with much more restraint than here at Christmas, and was left in front when Strong Project blundered at the second last.
He soon drew clear and looked set for an easy win but weakened visibly in the closing stages to beat Strong Project by a diminishing 2L, with Keepatem also staying on just a neck back in third.
'He ran very free and didn't give himself a breather here last time. He'll come back here for the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase and, if he goes to Cheltenham, it will be for the Royal & SunAlliance,' said O'Leary.
Bookmakers generally offer 20/1 about Newmill for the 'SunAlliance', while O'Leary will run Scarthy Lad in the Arkle Trophy here in a fortnight.
Southern Vic (5/4f) justified strong support in the opening P B S Hurdle for the father and son team of Ted and Ruby Walsh, forging on before the final flight to beat Arteea by four lengths.
'He came on a bit from his last run here after Christmas, and there is nothing soft about him. There is a 2m4f race at Naas in February for him and, if he jumps fences as well as hurdles, he'll make a nice staying chaser,' said Walsh senior.
Favourite backers were also on the mark in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) as Cloudy Bays made virtually all and drew clear from the last for Andrew McNamara to beat Christmas River by 6L.
'He got a nice consolation at Tramore last time but we will probably stick to hurdling now with the Final of this series at Cheltenham the target,' said trainer Charles Byrnes.
Tom Taaffe views Finger Onthe Pulse as a nice jumping prospect for the future after an impressive front-running debut win under Jamie Codd in the 4yo bumper.
The S M Morris Handicap Hurdle proved a real triumph for the handicapper with about a dozen still in contention approaching the final flight.
Benjis Treasure held a narrow advantage at the last, and kept on gamely for Mark Walsh to just deny the staying on Hard Shoulder by a neck.
Alan Magee
