Ryanair Chase Cheltenham target for Forget The Past
Trainer Michael O’Brien is, however, inclined to rule out another tilt at National Hunt racing’s greatest prize.
“If In Compliance comes up to scratch then he will run in the Gold Cup and Forget The Past will go for the Ryanair Chase,” said O’Brien.
The nine-year-old’s jumping was spectacular and he never missed a beat in the hands of Andrew Lynch.
He landed in front over the fourth from home and turned in with Hi Cloy cruising in his slipstream.
Hi Cloy looked a major threat going to the final fence, but Forget The Past found plenty and forged two lengths clear on the level.
“The young lad (Lynch) gets on really well with him,” said the Naas handler. “He’s a fabulous horse, but just not up to Gold Cup standard.
“He’s had a back problem, but is okay now and is at his best. He’s in the Hennessy at Leopardstown, but it was never the plan to run him in that.
“We have In Compliance for the Hennessy and he’s a far better horse than this fellow. We think he will stay three miles and will find out for sure in the Hennessy.
“He is likely to be our Gold Cup hope and, if that’s the case, then Forget The Past will run in the Ryanair.”
He is an 8-1 shot with Cashmans for that race.
Last year’s Cheltenham Foxhunters hero, Whyso Mayo, made a smashing seasonal debut when Damien Murphy guided him to victory in the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase.
Except for getting in close to the fourth last, he jumped impeccably and had already taken the measure of Freneys Well when that one departed at the third from home.
The winner made the rest and didn’t have to be subjected to any great pressure to easily hold Oscar India.
“He’s a superstar for me,” said delighted trainer, Raymond Hurley. “I was delighted when this meeting was rescheduled, because he didn’t have anywhere else to go. Leopardstown (Feb.10) will be next and then, all going well, it will be back to Cheltenham.”
Cashmans offer Whyso Mayo at 8-1 to retain his crown.
Cleni Boy left a disappointing performance at Leopardstown at Christmas solidly behind with a game display to take the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
Partnered with typical confidence by Paul Carberry, the well-backed favourite, 9-4 to 7-4, had plenty to do heading out for the last time.
But he gradually got on terms and was too strong for Pontium, far from neglected in the market, from the final flight.
Trainer, Noel Meade, was represented by Gillian O'Brien, who said: “Something was aching him the last day, but we got it sorted out.
“I don’t know what the plans are, but we are very happy with him. The trip today (two miles and six) was a big help.”
Rindoon, following his second behind Mister Hight at Limerick, was surprisingly easy to back in the Crossogue House Equestrian Maiden hurdle.
A drifter from 6-4 to 9-4, Dusty Sheehy’s charge belied the apparent lack of confidence with a smooth success.
Despite one or two indifferent leaps, he made every yard of the running for Michael Darcy to comfortably beat Miss Mason.
“He deserved to win that on his last run,” said Sheehy. “He is electric at home, but has to tidy up his jumping on the track. He will now go for a novice race at either Limerick or Punchestown.”
The classy Gazza's Girl proved far too good for her rivals in the Coolmore Westerner and Vinnie Roe EBF Mares Novice Chase.
Beautifully handled by Barry Geraghty, she eased past front-running Sabina Park coming away from the penultimate fence and soon scampered away.
“She’s been unlucky, but did that nicely,” commented trainer, Jessica Harrington.
“The Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown will be next. She has been entered in the SunAlliance at Cheltenham, so we will see.”
Willie Austin’s Dr Willie Martin took the Gain Horse Feeds Hurdle for Denis Hogan, beating Middlemarch by a snug nine lengths.
“I don’t know how he hasn’t won sooner, the blinkers must have made the difference,” exclaimed Austin, whose horses are emerging from a lean spell.
Heavily supported market-leader, Significant, was well beaten in third when falling at the final flight.
Those who helped make Austin’s Conem favourite, to follow up a recent success at Limerick, in the D and S Tarmac Handicap Hurdle were entitled to begin counting the loot when he edged ahead heading to the last.
He still looked sure to score half way up the run in, but it wasn’t to be and Out In Front and Tom Ryan swept though late to win going away by a snug length and a half.
