The Limerick yard of Charles Byrnes struck with a couple of notable well-backed winners in recent weeks and the purple patch continued at Naas today when they recorded a double. Dromlease Express initiated the brace with a battling win in the h'cap hurdle.
Taken from a general show of 8/1 (after being much longer in the morning), 7Ib claimer John Allen again showed what a promising young pilot he is by driving the 5/1 fav out for a 3/4L win, much to the delight of the 3-member successful RDS syndicate.
Newratking was nicely backed when winning at Punchestown last weekend and he followed up when similarly solidly supported in the h'cap chase. Sprinting away on the run for a 10L win under Larry Hurley, the 5/2 fav may turn out again next Thursday at Thurles according to Byrnes.
At all stages of the featured Woodlands Park 100 Poplar Square Chase it looked as if the minimum trip would prove too sharp for Galway Plate second, Kadoun.
Last throughout under amateur, Denis Cullen, Michael O'Brien's charge closed away from the penultimate fence and challenging between horses on the run in, the outsider of field finished strongly from a 1/2L win.
J P McManus was on hand to greet his winner and he had further cause for celebration when Lingo, trained by Johnjo O'Neill lived up to his billing as 8/11 favourite in the 4yo maiden hurdle. Conor O'Dwyer drove his mount out in the closing stages to assert for a 1/2L win.
Peter Casey was taken to hospital after a fall here at the 2nd hurdle from Fearn Royal. He suffered an injury to his nose and back and will undergo x-rays.
Despite sprawling badly on landing when in front and in control of the opening maiden hurdle, Kildare fought back bravely to justify favouritism. Trainer, Dessie Hughes paid tribute to his winner, describing it as a 'good performance' to recover from the final flight scare.
Very much in-form at present, rider, Shay Barry guided Mossy Green to an impressive success in the beginners chase. Having his first run over fences, the Willie Mullins-trained former winning 'pointer' delighted his handler by jumping well and showing the necessary speed to triumph over the 2m trip.
The 9yo was introduced into the betting for the Sun Alliance Chase by Cork bookmakers Cashmans as a 20/1 chance. In other news from the race, Barry Cash was stood down for the rest of the day and taken to Naas hospital for x-rays on his shoulder following a fall five out from Kebir.
Garrett Cotter was also taken for x-rays on his shoulder following a fall in the h'cap chase. Meanwhile Noel Meade and Niall Madden continued their highly fruitful alliance when Geill Sli came home a well-backed winner of the bumper.
