Christmas bonus for Lynch

Grand National-winning jockey Robbie Power missed out on a Grade One success following a nasty fall on Thursday as his intended mount Notre Pere landed the Knight Frank Ganly Walters Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Power came a cropper from Chelsea Harbour at the first fence in the Paddy Power Chase and was stood down for the mandatory 21 days having suffered concussion.

His misfortune benefited Andrew Lynch as he took over on Jim Dreaper’s six-year-old in the three-mile test, but he had to work hard for his riding fee.

Having jumped the final fence alongside Callherwhatulike and Abbeybraney, the 7-2 chance then went at it hammer and tong with the latter along the run-in and just got up in the shadow of the post for a head success.

The pair pulled nine lengths clear and the winner was given a 25-1 quote with William Hill and VC Bet for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase.

Dreaper said: “The ground was borderline as he likes it soft, but it was a big race so we took our chance.

“He’s a hardy horse, he’s intelligent and jumps great. He’s been a natural over fences from day one.

“It’s been such a long time since I had a Grade One horse that I have forgotten all of the good races so I’m not sure where he will go next!

“He will be entered at Cheltenham though – the ground may not suit him there but what the hell.”

The Bowe family had previous tasted success in the Woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle with Limestone Lad and they again captured the Grade Two event, this time with 11-10 favourite Sweet Kiln.

The mare had been denied on her two most recent runs when trying to make all, so connections changed tactics and they worked a treat.

Tom Doyle held the eight-year-old up and allowed her to get her eager head in front swinging towards the final flight, where she eased away for a two-and-a-half-length call.

“The last twice she has made the running and been pipped at the post, so we decided to change the tactics,” said trainer Michael Bowe.

“We were guaranteed a good gallop and it looks like it was a sensible decision to make.

“I would dearly love to try and win the new mares’ race at Cheltenham with her as she does handle good ground and she would like the track.”

Cashmans introduced Sweet Kiln at 6-1 for the David Nicholson Memorial Mares’ Hurdle on March 14.

Made In Taipan (5-2 joint-favourite ) posted a much-improved performance racing left-handed when making all under Davy Russell in the O’Dwyers Stillorgan Orchard Maiden Hurdle.

Trainer Tom Mullins said: “Ever since his bumper he has hung so after the last time we decided he wouldn’t run right-handed again and this was the first opportunity we had to come left-handed.

“Davy said he was 95% better and he was very impressed.

“I don’t know where we will go next but he has a chasing pedigree and that is probably what he wants.”

Mullins doubled up in the John Keating Memorial Flat Race as Time Electric - who had been the talk of the track all day – scooted in by eight lengths as the well-backed 6-4 favourite.

On a good day for the Mullins family, Tom’s brother Willie and Lexus Chase-winning rider Ruby Walsh were handed the Star Best For Racing Handicap Hurdle in the stewards’ room.

Streets Of Gold passed the post first but due to interference the placings were reversed, allowing Mullins’ 4-1 chance Deutschland to take home first prize.

Major Sensation, a half-brother to 2002 Welsh National winner Mini Sensation, continued Arthur Moore’s plentiful Christmas with a gritty victory in the Mongey Communications Novice Handicap Hurdle.

The mount of David Casey snuck in at the bottom of the weights and found most after the final flight to see off the 100-30 favourite Sandymount Earl by a length and a half.

Moore said of the 11-2 chance: “He was a baby last year but has come on a lot and could run again next week with a penalty.

“He will see out this season over hurdles and then go chasing next year.”