Carberry strikes gold on return

CHAMPION jockey Paul Carberry savoured big race success on his return from a thumb injury when Central House landed the Grade 1 Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase at Leopardstown yesterday.

The well-backed, Dessie Hughes-trained favourite was left in front when the leader Kicking King jumped left and crashed out of the race at the second last fence when enjoying a clear lead and coasted home 25 lengths clear of Anxious Moments.

Many observers believed the Barry Geraghty-ridden Kicking King would have triumphed. But winning trainer Hughes was among those who volunteered a different opinion, explaining, “Paul said he would have picked off Kicking King anyway because he had so much left in the tank.”