Updated: Saturday, 23rd January, 2010 5:00pm

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Double Power for Robert!

by Conall Collier

Robert Power in double form today at Leopardstown.

Meath jockey Robert Power was the man in form at Leopardstown today where he completed a double.

Power was on board the Jessica Harrington-trained Roberto Goldback which was an impressive winner of the grade two Novice Chase - Cheltenham remains the target.

Power then landed the Pertemps hurdle qualifier with Prince Erik for trainer Dermot Weld.

The Meath jockey produced his mount to lead at the last on the way to a six-length success and will also be aimed at Cheltenham.

Navan owner Eamonn Duignan won the Pierse Hurdle two years ago with Barker and went close to winning the race again (now the MCR Hurdle) with Tawaagg which is trained by Willie Mullins.

Duignan's horse was edged out by the John Mulhern-trained Puyol - ridden by John Cullen who was suspended for one day for his use of the whip.

Across the water, at Haydock Park, Barry Geraghty was on the mark when he won a grade two novices' chase with Diamond Harry which made a successful transition from hurdling to fences.

Geraghty was on board the Nick Williams-trained gelding for the first time and the sparkling performance has shortened the price for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham to 6/1. Diamond Harry may run at Newbury next month.

Geraghty was out of luck with Punjabi (finished second) in the Champion Hurdle trial which was won by the Alan King-trained Medermit.

Also in the winners' enclosure at Haydock was Kilmessan man Jason Maguire who partnered ex-point-to-pointer Peddlers Cross to another hurdle victory. Cheltenham is also on the radar.