House lands Leopardstown Dial-A-Bet

In Moscow Flyer's absence, Central House landed a pillar-to-post success in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown.

With last year’s winner ruled out this morning with a respiratory tract infection, the 9-2 second favourite jumped off in the lead under Paul Carberry and came home two lengths clear of Native Scout.

The Dessie Hughes-trained winner had finished second to Rathgar Beau in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork earlier this month, but that rival failed to sparkle this afternoon after being sent off the 8-11 favourite.

With Tony McCoy replacing regular partner Shay Barry, the eight-year-old was settled last of the four runners and started to make headway four fences out.

However, he made a mistake at the next and could never pick up the leaders on the run-in, with Native Upmanship filling the third spot.

“The first-time blinkers sharpened him up,” Hughes said of the winner.

“Paul let him go along at his own pace. I was a bit worried about the ground, because there is no doubt he is better on good ground.”

Hughes added he had no immediate plans for Central House, but that the Catchcart at Cheltenham would be his long-term aim.