Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase (Grade 1)

A FABULOUS Christmas continued for Joseph O’Brien at Leopardstown last Friday when the decision to supplement Solness (28/1) for the Grade 1 Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase reaped rich rewards.

The Bronsan Racing-owned gelding made most of the running in the two-mile-one-furlong prize, with J.J. Slevin plotting a wide course. They put the race to bed before the final fence. Gaelic Warrior stayed on to take second spot, but could make no impression on the decisive winner.

“Ground is important to him,” said O’Brien afterwards. “I spoke to J.J. before and he felt that he’d go wide and find the driest strip of ground that he could find.

“I’m delighted to win and I’m delighted for J.J. as well, to get a Grade 1 here this week is very special. He had a tough day yesterday, getting a couple of falls after being just back from injury. He gave him the most fantastic ride.

“I think he’ll head on to a Champion Chase and be an outside contender.”

Coolio stars in Elliott double

Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

GORDON Elliott’s belief in Romeo Coolio was vindicated as the 7/4 favourite produced a dominant display to land the Grade 1 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

The five-year-old led after Karniquet made a bad blunder at the second flight and Sam Ewing asked him to stretch turning for home.

He galloped on powerfully in the closing stages to beat stablemate Bleu De Vassy by nine lengths.

“Obviously it didn’t go to plan the last day and we all went home a bit disappointed,” said Elliott. “I’m delighted for the boys [Dave Page and Dave Rabson, owners KTDA Racing], they are back over here today.

“I’m very proud of the horse. Looking at that today I’d say he just needs a fast gallop. I’d imagine he’ll probably go for the Supreme Novices’.”

Cullentra double up

Ewing and Elliott were also successful in the opening 3-Y-O maiden hurdle, when the Gigginstown-owned Wendrock (3/1) recorded a convincing success.

Driven into a narrow lead approaching the last, he stayed on well to beat Galileo Dame by two lengths.

“He doesn’t do anything flashy at home,” said Elliott. “I’d imagine he’ll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival, but to be honest I’d say he’s more of a Fred Winter horse than a Grade 1 horse.”

Legallois has his day

PERCEVAL Legallois (17/2) got his day in the sun when running out an impressive winner of the €200,000 Paddy Power Chase.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding had gone off favourite for both the Galway Plate and Kerry National and had last been seen finishing fourth in the Troytown Chase at Navan.

It proved plain sailing this time for the J.P. McManus-owned gelding, as Mark Walsh produced him with a strong run after the last, before pulling clear late on to record a seven-length victory in the competitive three-miler.

“This horse has threatened to win a big one for a long time. He kept going up in the handicap and I thought his chance was gone to be honest,” said Cromwell.

“Mark gave him a great ride and stayed wide for the better ground. It’s a brilliant race to win. They went a right good gallop, he took his time and everything fell right for him.”

Yard favourite obliges

Enniskerry (9/1) was another familiar name to bag a nice prize when getting up late on in the Spinal Injuries Ireland Handicap Hurdle. Sean Flanagan produced him to grab front-runner Pinot Gris close home for a neck victory.

Owner-trainer Barry Connell said afterwards: “I love having winners here and that horse is special because we’ve had him for seven or eight years. He’s kind of the pet of the yard.

“He turns up every day. He’s won on the flat, over hurdles and fences. He’s an iron horse.”

Lapin pulls off a shock at 150/1

BARGAIN buy Jeannot Lapin caused a major shock in the Paddy Power Beginners Chase when scoring at 150/1 for trainer Gearoid O’Loughlin.

Ricky Doyle produced the massive Doctor Dino gelding to lead before the last and stayed on well in the closing stages to beat What’s Up Darling by two and a half lengths.

“I expected him to run really well as his homework had been very good. I thought he was a proper horse,” said O’Loughlin afterwards.

“I bought him in Doncaster off Sam Curling for three grand. He’s massive and he was a shell in May. To be fair to his owner Dominic [Jones] he brought him home and fed him all through the summer. Dom is a great character and I’m so happy for him.”

Karate becomes Ryan’s first winner

It was also a big day for Colm Ryan in the concluding bumper as the Askeateon-based handler saddled his first winner courtesy of Karate Kid (18/1).

Ray Barron rode the chesnut to lead a furlong and a half from home, and his mount stayed on well in the closing stages to beat American Jukebox by a length and a quarter.

The runner-up ran short of room in the straight, and following an enquiry, the stewards suspended the winning rider for two racedays.

“It’s terrific. John [Hayes, owner] is busy farming and it was very kind of him to give him to me after his last run,” said Ryan. “He’s quite a smart horse. He’s deadly to jump so hopefully he’s got a very bright future.

“I suppose he could be sold now. I just have five stores and this fella, he’s the only horse I have to run.”