Ranger romps home
Except for two minor errors, the six-year-old jumped really well, carrying far too many guns for his rivals in the closing stages.
Imperial Sun, in receipt of a generous 13lbs, tried to make all, but Paul Carberry always had him in his sights on the winner.
Mattock Ranger, backed from 9-4 to 7-4, forged past going to the second last - he was awkward here - but found plenty for pressure to beat the promising Talktothetail by two and a half lengths.
“We will try and win another hurdle with him over this trip or three miles,” said Meade. “He’ll then be let off and brought back over fences next season.”
Chelsea Harbour, on his first venture into handicap company, did really well to complete a double for Carberry in the Littleton Hurdle.
He certainly appeared to have plenty to do off 11-11, but made light of that, powering clear in the straight to beat Take You Mark, who came from off the pace to claim second.
“He’s a brilliant jumper and, long-term, will be a chaser,” said trainer, Tom Mullins.
Bookmakers began their day with a screamer when Henry de Bromhead’s newcomer Son Of Oscar took the Urlingford Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old stayed on strongly to grab the flattering Coolgreaney at the last and then found plenty to hold On Reflection.
Charles Byrnes’ Murrayfield, knocking on the door for a while, took the Horse and Jockey Handicap Chase under a polished Andrew McNamara drive.
Course specialist Island Pride looked the most likely winner when leading well before the home turn, but Murrayfield wore him down on the run in, after the final fence was bypassed.
The last was bypassed because Shay Barry, who took a crashing fall from Millanymare, was lying prone at the back of the obstacle. Barry was badly kicked, but essentially okay, and missed his only other ride of the day.
Colm Murphy’s Cheeky Lady put up a decent performance to beat market-leader Wont Leave An Oat in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares Beginners Chase.
Alan Donoghue left her lead four from home and the daughter of Roselier surged away between the final two fences to score by six lengths.
Willie Mullins and Katie Walsh did it again when newcomer Glencove Marina, very easy to back in the ring, took the Bumper.
The son of Spectrum looked yet another smart recruit for this particular conveyor belt, finding plenty to resist the persistent challenge of Daramas.
Seamus Braddish’s Nine O, competing a long way below his mark over flights, toyed with the opposition in what had all the appearances of a fiercely competitive Clonoulty Handicap Chase.
Partnered with confidence by Paddy Flood, Nine O hardly broke sweat to beat Euro’swell an unflattering three and a half lengths.
