Stand–in O’Regancontinues tomake hay while Carberry’s away

DENIS O’REGAN, hero of Ansar’s Galway Plate victory, continued to avail of Paul Carberry’s enforced absence when sharing a double with trainer Noel Meade at Down Royal yesterday, partnering Naples and Irish Blade to victory.

The wins were achieved in contrasting fashion. Odds-on favourite Naples made every yard of the running and never looked in danger in the opening Down Royal Festival of Racing Hurdle, readily following up his initial hurdle success at Roscommon when beating Keelaghan smoothly by five lengths.

Winning owner Kieran McGinn quipped in the winner’s enclosure: “Maybe I should tell Noel to stay away more often,” referring to trainer Meade’s absence in Germany.