Sandy Owen the beneficiary as Kahuna again fails to deliver
He was again heavily invested on, finding 8-15 from 4-6, as main rival Sandy Owen took a real walk in the market, 7-2 from 2-1.
Neither of the principals jumped particularly well, but were still far too good for the opposition.
Kahuna held a clear advantage jumping the third last, as Barry Geraghty scrubbed Sandy Owen along in an effort to get on terms.
Kahuna, however, found little in the straight, although still holding a couple of lengths lead at the last.
But Sandy Owen was now responding generously to Geraghty and forged past the leader close home to score by a snug neck.
“He didn’t travel well and struggled all the way”, said trainer, Pat Fahy. “He lost his confidence when falling at Punchestown the last day, but there is more to come from him.
“He’s bred to be a three-miler and will now go for the William Neville at Leopardstown at Christmas.”
Philip Fenton has made a fine start to his training career and he saddled his fourth winner when Davy Russell guided Sher Beau to a smooth victory in the Clonoulty Hurdle.
It was a smashing performance by the five-year-old, who was having a first outing on the racecourse, having landed a maiden point by 20 lengths.
He was produced with impeccable timing by Russell, leading coming away from the final flight to beat Prince Roscoe and the flattering favourite, Joueur d’Estruval.
“He will make a grand chaser,” said a delighted Fenton. “He will have just two mores runs and then come back over fences next season.”
Willie Mullins, who reported his star hurdler Sadlers Wings out for the season, was on the mark when Sunami Storm beat odds-on That’s An Idea in the INH Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
That’s An Idea pulled much too hard for his own good. He refused to settle in the early stages and dragged himself to the front after the third.
Then he ran off the bend heading out for the last time, recovering quickly to go back into the lead again.
But it took its toll and Ruby Walsh came from off the pace on Sunami Storm to cut down the leader on the run in.
“I thought Ruby was terrific”, said Mullins. “She had a small setback since last running and I didn’t expect her to win.
“It will probably be Christmas before she runs again and has plenty size and scope to jump fences”, concluded Mullins.
“At last a change of luck”, exclaimed Frank Ennis after his Thecaulofesker had taken the Cahir three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
Thecaulofesker was mounting a challenge to Atelios when that one blundered badly at the second last and it was plain sailing for Denis O’Regan’s mount from that point.
“He will try for a winners’ of one next, but will go back on the flat next year”, reported Ennis.
Pat Verling’s Berkley redeemed the promise of a recent second at Punchestown with an easy success in the Templemore Handicap Chase.
Well handled by in-form Martin Ferris, Berkley led four out and survived a minor error at the last to score by eight lengths.
Shay Barry drove Lord Graney into the lead early in the straight to take the Leugh Handicap hurdle.
Easy-to-back favourite Markason, who landed a sizeable gamble at Fairyhouse six days earlier, held every chance going to two out, but found little for pressure.
Butter Bridge, under a strong drive from Paul Tobin, got the best of the battle with promising newcomer, Scolboa Rainbow, in the Bumper.
The Executive Perk gelding gave Carrigaline, Co Cork, handler, Michael Doran, his first success on the racecourse.
