Review NAAS 10TH MAR

Pat Hughes was the trainer in form when saddling a short-priced double with Mantles Prince and Rapid Deployment in very testing conditions.

Mantles Prince may head next to Aintree after leading two out under John Cullen to beat Satcoslam by 3 1/2L in the 2m novice chase.

'He's very lazy, and really needs a bigger field of runners than that to waken him up,' said Hughes, who runs Billy The Snake in the 4m Chase at Cheltenham.

Fav backers had to sweat in the 2m handicap hurdle as Rapid Deployment (Steven Curtis) edged out Room To Room Value after Rumson Way (14/1-10/1) spoiled his chance by blundering at the last.

A 2m4f novice at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting is the main aim for Captain Moonlight after he touched off well-backed fav Beachcomber Bay in the 2m novice hurdle.

The 6yo benefitted from a positive ride by Willie Slattery, digging deep on the run-in to prevail by a head as the principals pulled 25L clear of the third.

'He's a nice type of horse who shows little at home but is improving all the time. I'm convinced he'll be better over 2 1/2m,' said trainer Thomond O'Mara.

I'vehadit (Paul Wade) recorded his fourth handicap hurdle win of the season when heading the front-running Al Towd on the run-in to score by 2 1/2L in the featured 2m3f event.

Ruby and Ted Walsh warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival by taking the opening handicap chase with odds-on An Modh Direach.

However the 4/5 fav had to work hard from the last to hold off the persistent challenge of Nun's Island by a neck.

'He's a great lead horse at home, and has done really well to win three-in-a-row this season. He'll run again at Punchestown next weekend,' said Walsh senior.

The Kill handler is likely to have three runners at Cheltenham, with Commanche Court (Gold Cup), No Discount (Kim Muir) and Bob Justice (Coral Eurobet) all travelling over.

Point-to-point winner King's Equerry (David Casey) made a successful debut under rules in the 3m maiden hurdle, showing great reserves of stamina to beat Go On Eileen by 3 1/2L.

Solerina was always prominent in the bumper, staying on dourly in the straight to beat Gandy by 9L.

Alan Magee