Point Barrow, held entries in both the two and a half mile novice and the Thyestes Chase at Gowran on Thursday last but trainer Pat Hughes decided to wait for the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Club event at Naas on Saturday.
It turned out to be the right option on the part of the Carlow trainer. Supported from 5/2 to 7/4 favouritism, the Joey Elliott-ridden winner, led away from the last and stayed on stoutly up the run in.
Two and half lengths was the margin of victory over the luckless Lincam and Hughes said, 'he did it well and hes entered in the SunAlliance. Thats not his race though and maybe the 4-miler might be.' Cashmans gave him a quote of 8/1 for that contest.
Bookmakers were also hit in the following two miles three furlong conditions hurdle. Sher Beau (5/2 to 2/1) travelled well throughout but he was just beginning to come under pressure in a length and a half second when left clear two out.
Front-running Tumbling Dice unfortunately came to grief at that penultimate flight. Winning trainer Philip Fenton felt that the Davy Russell partnered victor was a shade lucky.
Simon from the same stable was expected to make his presence felt in the next, the novice hurdle. However he could only manage fourth as this race saw Tacitus run out an impressive four length scorer.
Clear from the second last, Dessie Hughes chestnut survived a last hurdle blunder and coasted home in the hands of Paddy Flood to beat the front-running Ocras Mor.
Hughes said afterwards, 'he could be a very good horse and wants the ground soft. He scoped dirty after his last run (Fairyhouse end of November) and hes entered in the Supreme Novices Hurdle.' Cashmans go 33/1 about Tacitus for the Cheltenham event.
Odds of 1/100 were traded on the in-running market to large sums about five length leader, Coolnahilla, as the grey approached the final fence with Coleman Sweeney aboard in the handicap chase.
However Liam Burkes charge slipped on landing after putting in a perfect leap and almost unseated Sweeney. Robert Murphys 16/1 chance, Darrens Lass and Johnny Cullen were the lucky beneficiaries.
Arthur Moores post race comment, 'all he does is jump and gallop,' summed up the performance of his 10/1 shot, Theatre Lane who made all in the opening maiden hurdle under Barry Cash.
Moore not surprisingly also said of the eight-year-old, 'hes not getting any younger and might now go novice chasing.' Heavily-backed Tigerlion (4/7) didnt meet expectations finishing fourth (tract infection).
Oliver Bradys Baron De Feypo with Martin Mooney up, led before the last in the handicap hurdle and kept on well to beat One Four Shannon by two lengths. The Jackpot of 6046.50 euro wasnt won.
Graduand stepped up on a promising debut to put ten lengths between himself and the opposition in the bumper. John Feane rode the 4/1 winner for Frances Crowley.
