Ansar maintained his unbeaten record over fences when taking the featured Brogue Inn Belvedere Trophy Novice Chase in fine style as the six day Festival meeting drew to a close.
Dermot Weld's charge, successful on his chasing debut at Galway last month, made his only mistake at the last en route to a cosy three and a half length victory over Goldenhalo. 'He jumped like a handicapper apart from the last, and hopefully can develop into an Arkle contender next spring,' said stable representative Kevin O'Ryan.
Keith Hadnett took a heavy fall from Monbonami in this race. The Galway Plate winning rider was taken to the nearby General Hospital with a suspected broken jaw, although he was fully conscious throughout.
Frances Crowley's stable has returned to form this week having been struck down by a virus for the past month, and the Piltown handler brought her winning tally to three for the meeting when Nonchalant benefitted from a strong drive by Ruby Walsh to land the odds in the maiden hurdle.
Walsh later completed a double when producing the well-backed Macs Valley to lead at the final flight for a two lengths verdict over Anno Jubilo in the novice hurdle. 'Good ground makes all the difference to him, and he'll go for another novice providing it stays dry,' said trainer Willie Mullins.
Mark McNiff, 21, from Sligo, partnered his first winner on only his third ride when The Tippler led at the last and held off Ogan Hill by a neck in the two mile handicap hurdle. 'That's my first runner at the track, and it took eight hours to drive down here this morning,' said trainer Lindsay Woods, who added: 'This horse has had a lot of leg trouble, and was off the course for two years. Hopefully he will be okay in the morning.'
Andretti Castle survived a blunder at the last to take the handicap chase under Barry Geraghty, and permit holder Michael McDonagh said afterwards: 'He likes that ground, and will probably go to Galway next week.'
Alan Magee
