Micko`s sparkles in two miler

Micko`s Dream proved a revelation when switched to two miles for the Irish Independent Chase, the feature on day one of the National Hunt Festival at Fairyhouse.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, previously pigeon-holed as a three miler, cruised clear in the straight under Ruby Walsh for an effortless 20 lengths success from Ferbet Junior.

`Maybe we should have been running him over that trip all along`, remarked Mullins ruefully. `He looks good at that distance, and the race was over so far out. He is in the Powers Gold Label Tote Gold Cup here tomorrow, and we will make a decision in the morning about that`, he added.

Frozen Groom set a good pace, jumping fast and accurately in front. However he could find no extra inside the final half mile, and was soundly beaten when falling three out.

Sackville is on course for the Powers Gold Label Irish Grand National after stretching his winning sequence to six over fences this season in the Fighting Blindness Novice Chase.

David Casey sent the eight-year-old gelding past Arctic Copper before the fourth last for a facile 20 lengths success. However punters brave enough to support the 4/11 chance were given a scare on the run-in when a medical attendant ran out in front of Frances Crowley`s charge.

The last fence was dolled off following the earlier fall of Zayta, leaving rider Paul Moloney lying injured on the ground. The attendant ran out from behind the fence, and luckily only brushed against the winner to the gasps of the crowd.

Moloney was taken to nearby Blanchardstown Hospital but was later reported to be fine by Turf Club doctor Walter Halley.

Sackville is entered in the Captain Christy Novice Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on Friday but Crowley is still open-minded about future plans saying: `I would love to go for the Irish National but will have to talk to the owners (Seamus O`Farrell and Joe Crowley)`.

On a day of wide-margin victories, Ned Kelly maintained his unbeaten record over hurdles with a convincing performance in the Winning Fair Champion Novice Hurdle. Norman Williamson`s mount led approaching two out, and quickened clear for a six lengths win from Grinkov. Joe Cullen was unable to mount a serious challenge a further 11 lengths back in third.

`I was a little disappointed with him the last day at Fairyhouse but that`s more like the real Ned Kelly. He is unlikely to run in a Grade 2 race here at the National meeting as he would have to carry a 9lb penalty`, said trainer Edward O`Grady, who would like to keep the Be My Native gelding over hurdles next season.

Alpha Blues made all in the opening Ratoath Hurdle, and was left clear when favourite Darapour (who was under pressure at the time) fell at the second last to score by a very comfortable 15 lengths. `He may be better on good ground, and could make into a nice three mile novice chaser next season`, said trainer Jim Dreaper afterwards.

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