Only By Night makes winning return to action at Naas

The Arkle runner-up narrowly outpointed Champ Kiely in the Grade Three Barberstown Castle Chase

NAAS SUCCESS: Letos, right, en route to winning the SIS Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle.  Picture: Healy Racing

Runner-up in the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and purchased by Robcour during the summer, Only By Night made a successful return to action when narrowly outpointing Champ Kiely in the Grade Three Barberstown Castle Chase in Naas.

Patiently handled by Keith Donoghue, the seven-year-old mare eased into contention turning for home before becoming involved in a great tussle on the run-in, ultimately getting the better of the top-weight by a short-head, with a 17-length gap back to Ile Atlantique in third place.

“I’m delighted — she’s a good mare and I’ve wanted to have a winner for Brian (Acheson) for a long time, so this is a good start” stated Cromwell. “She’s genuine and brilliant to jump. She jumps so quick that she’s effective at two miles, but two and a half won’t’ be a problem.

“There’s a great programme for mares in the novice ranks but, unfortunately, not in open class. The next race for her is the Chich Fowler race at Fairyhouse (on New Year’s Day). And her ultimate aim will be the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham.” 

The biggest pot of the day was on offer for the listed SIS Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle in which dual Grade One-winning chaser Spillane’s Tower (6-5 favourite) failed to make an impression, finishing ninth.

Victory went to the father and son combination of Tony and Danny Mullins courtesy of French import Letos, who opened his account at the 10th attempt and on his handicap debut.

The towering five-year-old stayed on dourly to see off The Nagger Reidy, with top-weight Staffordshire Know third.

“He’s only five, but he’s huge and there’s more to come,” enthused the winning trainer. “He’s a natural jumped and Danny said he did everything perfectly out there.

“I don’t know where he’ll be going next, but I have big dreams. He could be a Coral Cup or Pertemps horse. He’s handicapped over fences and that’s our eventual plan — that’s where the big dreams are.”

Inherited by Eddie and Patrick Harty following the death of Edward O’Grady, Irish Panther started his chasing career in style in the Sign Up To GavinLynchRacing.com Beginners Chase, following up his recent maiden hurdle win in Clonmel.

Ridden by Kieren Buckley, the eight-year-old bolted-up by eight lengths from Jacob’s Ladder, prompting Eddie Harty to declare: “He’s a nice horse and that was exciting. He jumped well and put it to bed quickly — he sprinted from the last. His target is the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas and he’s unlikely to run again before then.” 

Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott shared the spoils in the maiden hurdle action, Darragh O’Keeffe driving 30-100 shot Fruit Dec Mer to a convincing win over Elliott’s Newbrook Diamond in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle, after which his trainer commented: “He’s a nice horse, still raw and should keep improving. He did what we hoped he might do and has a bit of class.” 

Earlier, in a duel of the market-leaders, the Elliott-trained Port Authority (Jack Kennedy) mastered front-running favourite Murat between the last two flights before forging clear to land the Cavan Developments Maiden Hurdle by 17 lengths.

Trainer Robert Tyner continued his rich vein of form when the J P McManus-owned mare Crecora Hills (Mark Walsh), backed into 6-5 favourite, opened her chasing account with the minimum of fuss in the opening novice handicap while Declan Queally made all on Shadys Lady to outpoint favourite Torpille Dagrostis by 10 lengths in the mares’ bumper.