Fortunate start for Harchibald
The tough Solerina was soon in front and all of three lengths clear when over-jumping at the last, giving David Casey no chance of keeping the partnership intact.
Harchibald travelled well through the contest, but Paul Carberry's arms began to move approaching two out and that was the first signs his charge was beginning to cry enough.
He began to run up and down on the one spot between the last two and Solerina was going away from him when disaster struck.
Commented winning trainer, Noel Meade: “I thought he'd need the run and he did. He was fitter coming here a year ago and got beaten a lot further, on terrible ground.
“He was gone at the second last. This is a fabulous prize, it's a pity it doesn't come a fortnight later. The race is just a bit early.
“You could map out his plan yourself. He will go for the Morgiana Hurdle, if the ground is good, or to Newcastle again for the Fighting Fifth, and at Christmas it will again be a case of wherever the ground is good. He was 14 kilos heavier today than his best racing weight last year.''
Cashmans kept Harchibald at 6-1 for the Champion Hurdle, with Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace as 5-1 joint-favourites. Boylesports also left him at 6-1.
Paddy Power, however, tightened Harchibald from 6-1 to 11-2, a silly reaction if ever there was one!
Talented 18-year-old Rory Cleary rode his first Group winner when giving Miss Sally a smashing drive to take the Coolmore Stud Home of Champions Concorde Stakes.
Cleary got a perfect run up the inside in the straight to lead over a furlong down and beat Common World.
Reported Cleary: “The bit went through her mouth at an early stage, but she followed the rail all the way.”
For trainer, Michael Halford, it was a 49th success of the season, his best by a long way. Said Halford: “I was a shade worried about the ground, she has a lot of speed.”
The display of market-leader, Charles Byrnes' Gortinard, in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Novice Chase raised more than a few eyebrows.
He was tailed off soon after the start and completely out of contention when pulled up by Paul Carberry before the eighth. Carberry partnered Gortinard because regular rider, Davy Russell, was injured in a fall schooling horses in the morning.
The stewards duly inquired into the performance. Carberry told them that Gortinard slipped approaching the first fence, jumped it deliberately and lost his confidence.
Byrnes expressed his disappointment at the performance of Gortinard and felt he should have run better. The stewards noted the explanation offered.
Victory went to Michael Hourigan's Church Island, produced by Denis O'Regan to wear down front-running Waltons Mountain, who blundered badly four out, between the last two fences.
Hourigan was represented by daughter, Kay, who quipped: “He's on a day off, we'll let him stay at home in future”.
French Accordion, having his first outing since winning on this track in May, battled well to take the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Joe Mac Novice Hurdle.
Positively handled by Barry Geraghty, French Accordion led going to four from home and was too strong for Carthalawn in the straight.
“I've always thought a lot of this horse”, said trainer, Paul Nolan. “He is a full-brother to Accordion Etolie, but is a different type.
“Accordion Etoile is a speed horse, while this fellow seems more of a stayer. He could possibly go to the Cheltenham November meeting now.”
Jim Bolger, absent at Longchamp, missed seeing his Rhythm 'n Roots, owned by RTE's Val Joyce, take the Listed El Gran Senor Stakes.
The Daggers Drawn colt made most of the running, answering every call from David Moran to beat Altius and the fast-finishing, but slow-starting, Royal Intrigue.
Heavily-backed Chiado proved very disappointing. He began to struggle in the testing surface early in the straight, trailing in a well beaten fifth.
Eddie Lynam hasn't had the best of campaigns, but produced a decent training performance to bring Jioconda back from a break of almost five months to win the High Chaparral EBF Maiden.
The daughter of Rossini made just about all the running, finding plenty for pressure in the closing stages for Niall McCullagh to resist market leader, Mon Michel.
Chemin D'Or and Niall Madden got the best of a terrific tussle with Ruby Walsh and Mountain Snow from the final flight in the Time For A Run Handicap Hurdle.
Pat Doyle and his 16-year-old son, Jack, combined to win the Bumper with In Debted Friend's. The Shahrastani gelding powered ahead off the home turn to easily reverse placings with Veedon Fleece, lame post race, who beat him over half a mile further at Listowel.
