Le Coudray, a faller on his chasing debut at Cork two weeks ago, ran out a most impressive winner of the European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase at Naas on Saturday.
On only his second start since December 1999, the Christy Roche-trained eight-year-old was running over two miles for the first time in his jumping career. He never put a foot wrong and drew clear of Ricardo under Barry Geraghty on the run in to win by nine lengths.
Trainer Christy Roche said, 'He has had so many problems. If he is not lame on his fore legs it something else but he has been so sound lately you would not believe it. He might run again at Fairyhouse next weekend or we will find sommething for him in England.'
Sausalito Bay, winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle two years ago, showed plenty of promise on his return to action and delighted Noel Meade in finishing sixth.
There was quite an upset in the Woodlands Park 100 Poplar Chase when Copernicus outbattled long odds-on favourite Native Upmanship to win for trainer Pat Hughes.
Copernicus, a more than capable novice last season, made all the under Paul Carberry running to beat the Champion Chase runner-up and 2/9 favourite by three quarters of a lenght, the pair finishing a distance clear of Native Commander.
Jack High returned to winning ways when taking the INH Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle, the 8/1 chance staying on well under Garrett Cotter to beat Ri Na Realta.
Willie Rock, who trains the winner, said, 'I have not been able to do any serious work with him for the past month due to flooding and we came here hoping for a first-six finish.'
Barry Geraghty, the former champion jockey, returned to the winners' enclosure later in the afternoon when taking the Paddy Power Bookmakers Handicap Chase on the long absent Precious Music.
And Geraghty made it a treble when making all the running on Kicking King to land the Ardmore Blood Booster Hurdle for trainer Tom Taaffe.
Lord Maizey, a triple point-to-point winner, made a winning racecourse debut in the Christmas Party Nights Flat Race. John Berry's much touted five-year-old led over a furlong out and stayed on strongly to win by four and a half lengths.
