REST OF THE CARD

ZABANA, who was only narrowly denied in last season’s Coral Cup, got his career over fences off to a perfect start in the Ballymaloe Foods Beginners Chase which already had trainer Andy Lynch looking forward to a return to Cheltenham.

The 155-rated hurdler produced an exemplary round of jumping for Davy Russell and travelled notably well throughout.

A confident Russell waited until the last fence to produce Zabana with his effort and the Chris Jones-owned gelding only needed to be nudged out to dispatch Tell Us More. At the line the 4/1 shot had a length and three-parts to spare over the tenderly handled Blair Perrone who made eye-catching progress over the last half mile.

The stewards held a running and riding inquiry into the performance of Blair Perrone who was found to be lame post-race. The explanations of Tony Martin and Denis O’Regan were noted.

“I was afraid of the ground but he jumped great and got a super ride from Davy. He should come on for this and hopefully he’ll go back to Cheltenham,” stated Lynch.

“He’s just a real good horse. At home he wouldn’t beat a donkey but he’s a different horse when he gets to the track.”

Abundant Stamina

Forever Gold made the most of his light weight and abundant stamina reserves to claim the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle for owner-trainer-breeder Eddie Cawley and jockey Chris Timmons.

As ever this three miles contest contained some interesting contestants with regard to final of this series at Cheltenham in March but centre stage went to the tough Forever Gold (16/1).

The winner and Russian Bill came to the last locked in combat before Forever Gold, who was just touched off over three and a half miles last time, stayed on doggedly to carry the day by a length and a half.

The fourth-placed Mall Dini, who was contesting his first handicap, emerged from this with credit as did the fifth, Leave At Dawn.

“He’s a dour stayer and he was off a nice light weight. The plan was to jump off in a good position and Chris gave him a lovely ride,” commented Cawley. “He’ll probably go back over fences for the Grand National Trial at Punchestown at the end of January.”

Alan Fleming and Barry Connell got off the mark for the week as Chain Gang (6/1) ran out a willing winner of the At The Races Maiden Hurdle. The testing conditions meant that stamina was a premium for this two and a half miles contest and the complexion of the race changed markedly from the entrance to the straight.

At this point the odds-on Road To Respect was travelling nicely in the lead but he was soon pressed and headed by Minella Aris who cleared the final flight with a lead of several lengths.

Chain Gang was only third at this point but Adrian Heskin conjured a strong late charge from the Listowel bumper winner who forced his way to the front in last couple of strides.

“Better ground might help him a bit and he could go up or down in trip. We’ve plenty of options with him and I do think that he’s a proper horse,” declared Fleming.

“It would have been impossible to beat Gordon’s horse (Tombstone) at Down Royal the last day but I’d like to have seen our horse finish closer (third).”

Gurteen paid a handsome compliment to the current Supreme Novices Hurdle favourite, Min, by landing the Midland Legal Solicitors Flat Race for Robert Tyner and Derek O’Connor.

Gurteen (9/4) finished a 14 lengths second to Min on his racecourse debut and put that experience to good use. The Golan gelding picked up nicely to strike the front heading into the last furlong and he finished a length and a half ahead of the newcomer Some Neck who showed a fine attitude on his debut having been under pressure turning in.

“He’s a horse we’ve always liked. He won his point easily and had a nice experience the last day and he’s come on a lot from that,” stated Tyner who trains the winner for Brendan Keogh.

“It’s a toss up now whether we stick to this or go hurdling given the stage of the season we are at.”

Whatsforuwontgobyu (9/2) left behind the form of his last couple of runs over timber to capture the Irish Daily Star Christmas Novice Hurdle and give J.P. McManus his fifth winner of the meeting.