NARA is set for a crack at graded company over fences after a cosy success at Gowran Park last Saturday. The Henry de Bromhead-trained filly was a faller on her chasing bow at Sligo, but went to post an even-money shot to atone for that blip.

Mark Walsh let his mount hit the front at the fifth fence in the two-miler and the daughter of Jeu St Eloi went on to post a comprehensive seven-and-a-half length win over Dame Rapide.

“We’re delighted with that, she was really good. She jumped well and did everything nicely,” said de Bromhead of the JP McManus-owned filly.

“She was a bit careful over the first couple, but once she got her confidence, she was brilliant and Mark was brilliant on her. She’s a fine big mare. She probably has a preference for a bit nicer ground. We’ll maybe look at the mares novice chase in Cork.”

Big champ

Only four went to post in the featured Noreside Catering Handicap Chase and the race set up well for the Paul Flynn-trained The Big Chap.

Danny Gilligan tracked the front-running Gaelic Arc in the two-miler before sending the 5/2 shot on after the third last.

The Policy Maker gelding asserted before the last to post a comprehensive four-and-a-quarter length win. Gilligan, in the colours of the Glenmore Goes Racing Syndicate, said: “He is a good horse when things go his way. He jumps for fun.

“Even though I won on him the last day, I was in front plenty soon again today. He was just doing the bare minimum, so hopefully there is still a bit of fun to be had with him.”

IN the other race over fences on the card Noble Talent pulled clear late on to run out a good winner of the beginners chase in the colours of Ailish Glynn.

Danny Mullins led three from home on the 11/1 shot and the Getaway gelding opened up in the closing stages to post a seven-and-a-half-length win over Brucejack.

Winning trainer Tom Nagle said afterwards: “Danny rang me the other day, after he had walked the track and said he’d like to ride him. I have to thank him for this. He needs three miles but we were quite happy with that. He’ll handle a good bit softer than this.

“J.J. (Slevin) was suggesting to me that we should be looking at the Tim Duggan, he said that after Sligo. Danny said the same, that we should be looking at a decent handicap. He’s something to look forward to.”

Class act

The Gordon Elliott-trained Casheldale Lad made a winning start over timber in the Maiden Hurdle, with an easy all-the-way success.

Jack Kennedy bounced out in front on the Bective Stud-owned 15/8 favourite and he was clear when making a slight mistake at the final flight, going on for a 13-length success.

Kennedy said: “He jumped well overall, but had a couple of little mistakes, one down the back and he got in under the last as well. He’s a nice horse, hopefully he learns to relax a bit better. It’s all go with him. He has an engine, so hopefully he learns how to race properly.”

Going places

Another horse expected to go places over timber this year is But What, after his victory in the Irish EBF Maiden Hurdle.

The Andy Slattery-trained gelding was returning from a 420-day absence in the two-miler. He was soon in front, under Cian Quirke, and travelled smoothly turning for home. Addragoole came to press on the run-in, but could only get within half a length of the 10/3 winner.

The trainer’s brother, Willie Slattery said: “He’s always been a nice horse. He had a lovely run in Navan last year and had a little touch of a tendon after it, so he had the year off.

“Hopefully, he’ll be alright in the morning and we can keep going. He loves that ground, he wouldn’t be a horse for the heavy winter ground. I don’t know where he’ll fit in, but he’s a good horse.

DELIAS Pet claimed her second win in the space of five days, when taking the first division of the Pat Carroll’s Pub Kilkenny Mares Handicap Hurdle. Tim Doyle’s Stowaway mare had scored at Fairyhouse on Tuesday and was given a confident ride by the trainer’s son, David.

She was produced to lead after the second last and went on to post a two-and-three-quarter-length win over Ardfert Mary.

“She travelled very well through the race, I was delighted with everything,” said Doyle.

“Her confidence is up now and that’s all she needs, she has the ability.”

The money came for Colleen Danu in the second heat and she duly delivered for Pat Foley and the Lawler family.

Michael O’Sullivan led two from home on the 11/4 favourite and she overcame a slight mistake at the last to record a length win over Rebelle Chaud.

“We’re happy with that and I’m delighted for the owners. She’s a sister to Absolute Notions, so to get the win on the page was the main goal,” said Foley.

In the Novice Handicap Hurdle, Sonny May also justified good support when scoring for Denis Hickey.

The Hillstar gelding was backed from 16/1 into 4/1 favourite and was produced to lead at the last, by Sean O’Keeffe, and went on to post a cosy three-and-a-half-length win over Disco Dancer.

O’Keeffe said: “He came on a nice bit from the last day, he did everything great today and won well. I knew I had plenty of horse down the straight and he picked up when he got a bit of room going to the last.

“I’m delighted to ride a winner for Denis, as he’s been a big supporter of me, since starting out in point-to-points.”