Gamble goes astray on out of tune Banjo as Bahrain storms home in maiden
Taken at evens in the morning, he was a big order on track from 4-6 to 8-15. But his jumping left a bit to be desired, after Barry Geraghty had eased him ahead over the fifth last.
Bahrain Storm was soon in hot pursuit, travelling far better than his rival approaching the home turn.
Davy Russell soon let out an inch of rein and Bahrain Storm lengthened away to score unextended by 15 lengths.
Off the track since disappointing at Down Royal in early November, trainer, Pat Flynn, reported: “He ran so badly that day, I decided he should have a nice break and come back fresh.
“If he gets into the race then the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham might be next.”
Russell's tally for the campaign now stands at 72.
An Fear Doiteain was welcome relief for punters when justifying favouritism in the Patrickswell Maiden Hurdle.
Positively handled by Ruby Walsh, the winner raced behind trail-blazing Kilpedder for most of the journey.
Walsh, enjoying his 109th success of the season, drove An Fear Doiteain ahead two out to beat Kilpedder in a two miles and three contest which was hard work.
Commented trainer, Willie Mullins: “We decided to change tactics and allow him bowl along near the front.
“We will keep him to novice hurdles, but he was bought as a 'chaser and that's what he will be doing next season.”
John Murphy, not at all adverse to producing big-priced winners, did it again when 25-1 shot Symboli Bay landed the ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle.
Always on the pace, Symboli Bay stayed on strongly for Brian Carey in the straight to beat Best All Stars by two and a half lengths.
Said Murphy: “Jenny Murphy, who is a girl in the yard, has done a great job with this horse. He has broken down on both legs.”
Sundeck, carrying the colours of J P McManus' brother, Gerry, landed the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at 14-1.
“It's been a while”, quipped trainer, Ronnie O'Leary, after he had greeted the Denis Hogan partnered seven-year-old, who galloped on relentlessly to easily beat Benazzi.
“He won a couple of hurdles for me, but has been disappointing”, said O'Leary. “The moral of the story is to just keep trying.”
Moskova, who made a solid start over flights on this track last month, easily won the Gold Cup Lunch At Greenmount Maiden Hurdle.
Given a patient drive by Robbie Moran, Moskova stayed on strongly to beat Happy Reunion by ten lengths and give trainer, Paul Nolan, a welcome turn. Market-leader Sorrentina was in trouble a long way from home.
Another to enjoy a change of luck was Thomas O'Leary, who saddled well-backed favourite Preists Leap to win the Shannon Beginners Chase.
It looked as if Ruby Walsh might have stolen the contest when kicking on aboard For A Song early in the straight.
Preists Leap stumbled at the back of the penultimate obstacle, but rallied for John Cullen and was soon well on top.
The Sean Aherne-trained Cailin Vic Mo Chroi challenged between horses in the closing stages to land the Bumper.
He was ridden by 19-years-old Stephen O'Donoghue from Araglen, Co Cork. This was his first on the track, but the youngster has three victories to his credit in the point-to-point fields.
