THE feature on the card was the Paddy Power Feel Like A Favourite Hurdle and it went the way of Darver Star (5/4) who brought up a hat-trick over flights for trainer Gavin Cromwell.

He powered past Dollar Value in the straight and asserted from that rival at the final flight. The 10-year-old gelding eased right away to score by seven and a half lengths for the SSP Number Twentytwo Syndicate.

Jockey Keith Donoghue said: “I’d say he’ll aim high now and take on Honeysuckle in the Hatton’s Grace (at Fairyhouse). He pushed her to half a length before (at Leopardstown in February 2020) and he’ll be going in there the fit horse with his confidence high.

“Don’t get me wrong, Honeysuckle is unbelievable and if we finish second to her, we’ll be delighted. I can’t wait, I love a Grade 1, especially at a Meath track.”

Retirement

Abacadabras, the 4/6 favourite, was pulled up quickly after three out. Afterwards, Gordon Elliott confirmed that retirement was on the cards for the multiple Grade-1 winning-hurdler.

“He’s fairly lame in front on his two legs and it doesn’t look great to be honest. He’ll come home and he’ll have a home in Cullentra for as long as he lives.

“Hopefully, he will be able to have a happy retirement. He was a brilliant servant and we were very, very lucky to have him.”

The market for the Paddy Power Games ‘More Chances To Win’ Maiden Hurdle was all about Elliott’s Cool Survivor and the even-money favourite made all to take first prize by three and three quarter lengths for Gigginstown House Stud.

“He gallops and Jack (Kennedy) said he wants three miles. He’ll probably come on for the run too,” the trainer said.

JOCKEY Philip Byrnes secured a double on the card when Grozni justified favouritism in the Paddy Power ‘Bingoton: A Drama With Balls’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and seven furlongs.

Grozni, trained by Byrnes’ father Charles and owned by his brother Cathal, raced close to the pace and came through to lead before two out. He was clear at the last and breezed in by two and a quarter lengths at 16/5.

Trainer Byrnes said: “He was good today, he got him to relax. He pulled too hard in Listowel and couldn’t breathe properly.

“Philip had a double in Ballinrobe when he was just after turning professional and he got injured then after that.”

Byrnes also got a winning tune out of Noel Kelly’s Gaius in the Paddy Power ‘Keep Your Elbows In’ Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.

The 15/2 shot chased the leaders and was pushed along to get closer after jumping the penultimate flight.

The yellow and blue colours of the trainer’s wife Shauna Kelly tacked onto the heels of the leaders sweeping round the final bend.

His big white face hit the front at the last, however, 5/4 favourite Maxxum was produced on the run-in by Davy Russell. Gaius found plenty for Byrnes, though, and was always holding the challenger in the closing stages as he repelled him by half a length.

WAR Correspondent (7/2) landed plenty of bets on his jumping debut in the Paddy Power ‘Don’t Mind The Flat, The Jumps Are Back’ 3-Y-O Hurdle.

Bryan Cooper asked the favourite Bridgehead for more on the run to the last and the pair looked to be holding War Correspondent, however, Bridgehead knuckled on landing and surrendered momentum to his rival who got a scent of victory.

He was almost on terms with 150 yards to race and was ridden out by Rachael Blackmore to edge ahead close home by half a length for Ballygallon Stud Limited.

Trainer Ray Cody, who won this race last year with Bell Ex One, said: “We’re thrilled. Rachael said he must have some engine given how keen he was. They went no gallop and his jumping is very novicey for his first run and she said she had to help him a lot, but he only really missed one.

“The plan in the back of my head, if he won today, was to go to either Fairyhouse or Cheltenham for the November meeting.”

Three-way

One Last Tango stayed on best to win a three-way thrust for the line in the Paddy Power ‘Is It Cold Enough To Have The Heating On?’ Handicap Hurdle.

Mark Walsh drove him into the lead close home and the pair prevailed by a length at 5/1 for J.P. McManus.

Trainer Eoin Griffin said: “I’m delighted to get it as it’s just taken a while for the penny to drop with him.

“He wouldn’t want it too heavy so if the ground stays okay we might get something else and then head to Leopardstown at Christmas.”

Williamstowndancer, the 2/1 favourite, found plenty for pressure to get off the mark on debut for the Blackrock Racing Syndicate in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.

After Patrick Mullins steered her in by two and a quarter lengths, Willie Mullins said: “I was very impressed with that. She doesn’t do anything very fast at home, but she’s always there at the end of her work and she showed the same today.

“I think I’m going to have a crack at one of those listed mares’ bumpers. We might give her a little break now and come back and have a go at one of those.”