Texas Jack lands spoils, but Instalment steals limelight
Defending an unbeaten record over fences, four from four, Last Instalment was returning from a near two years absence with leg trouble.
He jumped beautifully, showing plenty of enthusiasm, and, indeed, went across the final fence upsides the first two home.
Last Instalment had no more to give through the last 100 yards, however, but was only eventually beaten three parts and half a length.
His performance delighted trainer Philip Fenton. “Wasn’t that a lovely run?,” he said.
“You couldn’t but be pleased, he hadn’t been away anywhere, except to have a spin on the flat at Leopardstown.
“The only fences he jumped were a couple at home. Tomorrow morning will tell a lot and we will see how he is over the next fortnight. All being well the Hennessy (Leopardstown) is the plan.”
Paul Carberry was superb on Texas Jack, producing him with typical timing going to the last and the winner found plenty to beat Baily Green, who made a slight error at the obstacle.
Said Meade: “I don’t think he will go to Cheltenham, we will more than likely keep him at home. Paul gets on so well with the horse, I’m absolutely delighted.”
Robert Tyner’s Byerley Babe displayed tremendous battling qualities to win the Grade 2 Fame And Glory And Sans Frontieres Coolmore National Hunt Sires EBF Mares Novice Chase.
Powerfully handled by Philip Enright, she got the best of a desperate tussle with Nicky Henderson’s hot pot, Une Artiste, from the back of the last, the verdict the minimum margin, a nose.
Said Tyner: “She was good and just drifted on the run-in, otherwise would have won a shade snugly. She has a lot of class and should improve, that was only her third ever run over fences.”
Francis Flood’s Kylestyle, runner up behind Western Boy at Leopardstown, redeemed the promise of that run when easily taking the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Partnered by Andrew McNamara, he jumped beautifully and was always on the pace. Coming away from the third last, McNamara said go and Kylestyle eased on to beat Daliyan by five and a half lengths.
Flood was represented by his son, Fran, who commented: “That was great, you would have expected it after Leopardstown. I’m not sure what will be next, but we will have to pitch him into some of those better races.”
Willie Mullins’ Clondaw Court, who was less than impressive when scrambling to victory at Leopardstown, was on song in the WT O’Grady Memorial EBF Novice Hurdle.
He travelled like a dream throughout, eased into the lead before the second last and crossed the line a whopping 18 lengths clear.
Mullins said Clondaw Court was likely to be part of his Cheltenham team, would stick to races at two miles and six and three miles but was very much a chaser in the making next season.
Mount Colah, trained by Jerry Cosgrave at Banbridge, Co Down, was best for money in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase and did the business in the hands of Noel McParlan.
In front with over a circuit to cover, he gave a fine exhibition of jumping, until crashing into the final fence.
It then looked as if the contest had been handed to the challenging Katnap, but the winner fought back and was three parts of a length to the good at the line.
McParlan completed a double when guiding Carsonstown Boy to victory in the Arctic Tack Stud Hunters Chase.
Trained at Downpatrick by Colin McBratney, the ten-year-old made a lot of the running and kept finding in the straight to beat Boxing Along and well-backed favourite Oscar Delta, who flattered between the last two fences.
Jody McGarvey drove Sherika past Lughnasa near home to take the Matty Ryan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
Unlucky horse of the contest was top weight, Grange, who was going strongly in a close third when departing at the final flight, breaking his neck in the process.
