War Of Attrition sends out Arkle warning

War Of Attrition ran out an easy winner at Naas this afternoon to advertise his claims for the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Returning to the track after an injury lay-off, the Mouse Morris-trained six-year-old was settled in third spot, jumping tidily, as Old Flame made the running in the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase.

Conor O’Dwyer eased the 5-4 favourite closer on the turn into the home straight and popped him over the last two fences to saunter to a four-length victory from Healy’s Pub.

War Of Attrition had been sidelined since November after sustaining a slight chip to his splintbone when winning at Thurles on his chasing debut.

He finished second to Brave Inca in the Letheby & Christopher Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year and was clipped to 7-1 from 12s by Paddy Power for the Arkle after today’s race.

Ladbrokes were even more impressed and make War Of Attrition 6-1 joint-favourite (from 12s) with another Irish challenger, Ulaan Baatar.

Cashmans, however, went 10-1 from 14s.

Morris said: “I couldn’t ask for any more than that. He was off for six weeks and he has only been back in work for six weeks. He gave an exhibition of jumping on ground I was very nearly going to take him out on.”

Another happy trainer was Noel Meade, whose horses have been under a cloud since his last winner at Naas on January 2.

After the one-and-a-half-length victory of Captain Sunshine, who was backed down from 3-1 to 6-4 favourite for the Barretstown Maiden Hurdle, he said: “I’m absolutely thrilled.

“This horse worked very well the other day and if this hadn’t won I don’t know what we would have done.

“All the blood tests and scopes this week were very good and hopefully they are back on track again.

“Last year all my horses had the flu, but this year it’s been totally different. They are showing no sign of a temperature. They are eating well and look fine, but just running flat.”