A WEEK in which Pat Fahy called time on the career of his former Grade 1 winner Morning Assembly also saw the trainer unearth a new star as Castlegrace Paddy turned in a display of real substance in the Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase.

The sparingly campaigned seven-year-old was making just his second appearance over fences in this two and a quarter-mile listed event and this was his first outing since his beginners’ chase victory at Fairyhouse in mid-December.

Here he was pitted against four capable and more experienced rivals but this mattered little to the Clipper Logistics-owned gelding who comprehensively outclassed his rivals.

The 11/2 outsider of the field raced on the pace for Andrew Lynch and turned in a fine round of jumping. One of his best jumps came when he flew the third last to open up a decent lead and from this point onwards it was all one-way traffic. The strong-travelling Castlegrace Paddy then maintained a decent lead over the chasing Jett to post a most assured three and three-quarter-length triumph.

“This was the first time that I felt he was really right in himself. After he won at Fairyhouse he was stiff and sore but we’ve had no issues with him for the last six weeks,” said Fahy. “He should improve tons from this. I’ll speak to Joe (Foley) and Steve (Parkin, owner) about plans but I’d say he will probably go to Punchestown for the two-mile Grade 1 novice chase (Ryanair Novice Chase).”

The former Coral Cup hero Diamond King won for just the second time since that 2016 Cheltenham triumph as he took advantage of a gilt-edged opening in the near three-mile Enjoy White Gypsy @ Finns Borrisoleigh Hurdle. Ten days previously the 8/13 favourite turned out for the Coral Cup but was pulled up shortly after being badly hampered at the second flight.

The Diana Whateley-owned 10-year-old was none the worse for that trip across the Irish Sea and he cruised through the race for Davy Russell before easing into a clear lead approaching the straight. Diamond King’s stamina was ebbing away in between the last two flights but he did enough to get home by a length from the 25/1 chance Smokey Joe Joe.

“Davy said he hated that ground. He was at the pin of his collar to win there and the trip was a bit of a problem too but the conditions of the race suited him very well so he had to take his chance,” reported Elliott. “He’ll do better once the ground dries up and we’ll look towards Punchestown where he could go for the two and a half-mile handicap hurdle on the Saturday.”

Earlier, Ballela Boy had the distinction of making it 900 winners in Ireland for Elliott in the two and three-quarter-mile beginners’ chase where odds-on punters were dealt a blow with the exit of the 1/2 favourite Turcagua at the fourth last fence. His fall left the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Ballela Boy (11/2) tracking Cowboy Des Long and Davy Russell’s mount took charge before the second last before a two and a half-length success.

“That’s his 10th attempt over fences so it’s good to get one of these with him. He’s a grand horse who will stay going and he’ll probably head to the sales in the autumn,” remarked Elliott, whose charge began his chasing career with a fourth to the subsequent Cheltenham scorer Rathvinden at Wexford in July.

The track’s final fixture of the season played host to some high drama in the Thurles Vintners Handicap Chase where Black Zero (4/1) eventually emerged victorious. Most of the eight-runner field were in contention facing up to the second last but it was all change at this fence where Attalco jumped left and fell, bringing down Bilbo Baggins who in turn caused the favourite Artic Pearl to part company with Paul Townend.

Then as the last fence loomed Concordin looked to be arriving with a strong challenge but he crashed out and Black Zero profited as he went on to defeat Angus Milan by three-quarters of a length. Black Zero, who was fourth to Sunsetstorise at Navan the previous afternoon, was ridden by Cathal Landers and is owned and trained by Michael McDonagh.

The Aintree-bound Scheu Time (6/4) provided Cathal Landers with a double in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old had finished no worse than fifth in eight previous outings and this looked an excellent opportunity for him to get off the mark.

The J & T Partnership-owned front-runner had only One First Cut for company as he turned for home and he cruised clear of that one after two out for a decisive success.

“I didn’t think it would take him that long to win a race. He’s a horse we’ve liked and he has always had an easy way of doing things,” reflected James Nash. “He wants better ground and I hope he’ll improve stepping up in trip on better ground. The owners would love to go to Aintree and he may well go there for a handicap next.”

PROGRESSED

Noel Meade’s Young Ted (9/2) looked a horse with a fine future as he progressed well from his debut second at Gowran Park two months previously to dominate the four-year-old bumper. The son of Fame And Glory, who carries the colours of the KMM Partnership, cruised up to join the useful Eagle Roque inside the last quarter of a mile and he surged clear under Nina Carberry to win by 14 lengths.

“He was just a bit free the last day but he settled well there and he’s a nice horse with a bit of pace. Maybe the good four-year-old bumper at Limerick will come too soon but we’ll see and he won’t go hurdling until next season,” commented Meade.

Andrew Lynch teamed up with Richie Rath to take the Bill Dowling Memorial Handicap Hurdle with Larkfield Lass (12/1) who was recording the first success of her career. The front-runner showed a fine attitude in the straight where she first saw off Queen Khaleesi before then holding the late effort of Dawn Light Cave by two lengths. The 6/5 favourite Ballea Fox was still in contention when he parted company with Donie McInerney at the third last.

“That’s only her third handicap hurdle and she just gallops and stays. She’ll go for another 80-95 rated handicap in the next few weeks,” declared Rath who trains the daughter of Presenting for James Brennan.

Whip ban

PHILIP Enright picked up a one-day whip ban after partnering Kaiser Black into third in the beginner’s chase.

Acting Stewards

J. Murphy, E. Halley, J. McStay, H. Hynes

Horse To Follow

GATEWAY TO EUROPE (B. Nolan): This four-year-old was quite green through the first half of the bumper won by Young Ted and got detached at the rear of the field but he finished out his race very well to take sixth. He could progress substantially off this run.