SADLER’S Risk earned himself a crack at some of the best staying chasers around, at Down Royal next month, when he secured the Irish Daily Star Chase, which brought up a Grade 3 double for Henry de Bromhead.

In his bid to maintain his five-year stranglehold on this race, Gordon Elliott relied on the Galway Plate hero Lord Scoundrel, who headed the market at 11/8.

However, a strong showing was expected from Sadler’s Risk (7/4) on just his third outing since he landed last year’s Munster National and the Roger Brookhouse-owned runner was in receipt of 6lb from the favourite.

The aforementioned duo dominated this extended three-mile event and, from the outset, Lord Scoundrel cut out the running from the David Mullins-ridden Sadler’s Risk. The latter edged ahead rounding the turn for home and, despite his rival’s best efforts, he maintained a lead in the straight. An especially quick jump at the last made sure of a five and a half-length success.

“He did it nicely and got a super ride from David and he’ll go for the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal,” said the trainer. “He’s a horse with a lot of class and it’s just a pity that he struggles going left handed, although we might try going that way again at some stage in the future. Today was the first step for him and he handled it well.”

Earlier, the de Bromhead-trained Three Stars claimed the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase to reaffirm just how far he has come since being beaten on his chasing debut at Tramore in June. Fresh from a beginners’ chase win at Listowel last month, Three Stars turned in a smooth round of jumping, which was in contract to several of his rivals.

The favourite, Lieutenant Colonel, (reported to have scoped abnormally post race) was pulled-up before two out after making several errors and, at this stage, Three Stars (3/1) was travelling powerfully for Ruby Walsh. The Robert Finnegan-owned six-year-old brushed aside Gwencily Berbas to strike for home coming away from the penultimate fence and he stayed going to defeat Ball D’Arc by two and a quarter lengths. Interestingly, the first two home ran almost to the pound from their previous meeting at Listowel.

“Ruby gave him some ride and I’m delighted with him. He was a 140-rated hurdler and he looks an exciting chaser,” commented de Bromhead. “We’ll stick to this sort of trip with him and I was pleased to see him finish out the race as well as he did. The obvious next step would be either the Craddockstown Novice Chase here next month or a novice chase at Cheltenham the week before.”

JUMPED BETTER

Following his four-timer the previous afternoon, Gordon Elliott secured the opening maiden hurdle where Labaik showed none of the temperament that had blighted his recent flat outings. A £25,000 purchase at Goffs UK in August, the 16/1 chance had failed to jump off on his last two starts on the level but looked a reformed character this time.

The grey travelled nicely through the race and cruised into a narrow lead well before the last flight. On the run-in, Keith Donoghue didn’t need to get at all animated with his mount to pull five and a half lengths clear of Top Othe Ra. The last-named posted a fine effort on his return from over three years off, while the odds-on Venezia had to settle for third.

“He’s been hunting for the last few weeks which has done him good. I think he’ll improve a ton for this and he’s a horse who will win plenty of races,” commented Elliott, who trains the gelding for Aidan O’Ryan.

Tom Mullins took the wraps off a useful type in Arctic Light (9/1), who belied his position as the outsider of the field in the five-runner bumper, confined to unraced horses. The Melvyn Kennedy-owned son of Iffraaj picked up nicely for Patrick Mullins to lead inside the last quarter of a mile. He first dealt with the effort of Up The Town and then contained the favourite Westland Row by a length and three-quarters.

“He’s a good horse and he showed a nice level of ability during the summer,” remarked Mullins. “When the ground turns he’ll be going out as he doesn’t want winter ground. I’m not sure if he’ll have another run before the spring.”

The capable Master Appeal (7/1) registered his first success for 13 months in an eventful two and a half-mile handicap hurdle. The first half of this meeting wasn’t at all kind to punters and it was perhaps best illustrated by the second last flight where the market leader St Stephens Green exited going well and brought down the well-backed second favourite Crosshue Boy.

This changed the complexion of the race dramatically and a terrific finish ensured as the first five were covered by no more than a length jumping the last. On the run-in, the Ambrose McCurtin-ridden winner showed a fine attitude to contain the oncoming Cassells Rock by a head.

“He’s been unlucky and I was afraid the season might pass by without him winning,” reflected John Kiely, who trains the 128-rated gelding for the Express Racing Syndicate.

“He needs three miles and good ground and if the winter closes in early he will go on his holidays.”

A mild surprise was lying in wait for punters in the 80-109 rated handicap hurdle where Magna Cartor (16/1) struck for Shark Hanlon and Rachael Blackmore. A £6,200 acquisition by Hanlon last month, the six-year-old progressed nicely from his encouraging Irish debut at Gowran Park.

Magna Cartor took the measure of Kiera Royale from the last to prevail by two lengths. The favourite, Old Castletown, was a rallying fifth having dropped out of contention before the straight.

“I think he’s a right little horse. Mark Loughnane recommended him to me and said he’s a horse that will win races,” declared Hanlon, who trains the winner for Rachel O’Neill. “That might be his job done for the year as he does want good ground.”

Amateur Noel McParlan made his first ride for Noel Meade a winning one as Tiger Sam (7/1) landed the Ingoldsby (Q.R.) Handicap Chase. On his eighth outing on the track the 89-rated maiden battled well to see off the always prominent Moss Grove by two and a quarter lengths.

“He’ll keep going in these staying chases and he’s an out and out stayer, you couldn’t have a trip far enough for him,” stated Meade.

Acting Stewards

Mrs J.O. Onions, J. Rearden, J. Murphy, P. Caffrey, P.D. Matthews

Horse To Follow

WESTLAND ROW (G. Elliott): This Oscar gelding shaped up well to take second in the bumper. He showed distinct signs of inexperience but also offered plenty of promise and he shouldn’t be long in making his mark.