More Meath success at Leopardstown
There was another Dunsany winner of a big race at Leopardstown today when Andy Lynch, who was head man for Noel Meade for almost 25 years, took the beginners' chase for owner Christopher Jones with Zabana which got off the mark at the first attempt over fences.
Lynch's charge ended last season with a fine third behind Jezki and Hurricane Fly in a grade one hurdle at Punchestown last April.
With Davy Russell on board today, Zabana challenged from two out and stayed on well from the last to beat the Tony Martin-trained Blair Perone by almost two lengths with the Willie Mullins-trained favourite (Tell Us More) back in third place.
“I was afraid of the ground but he was fit and well, he is going to come on a bit from that,” said Lynch.
Barry Geraghty partnered the Martin-trained Whatsforuwontgobyu to an impressive victory in the novice handicap hurdle over two miles while Elliott landed grade one €85,000 three-mile Christmas Hurdle with Prince Of Scars which completed a double for jockey Davy Russell.
Batterstown handler Edward Cawley has long-term aspirations of the Irish Grand national for his Leopardstown winner Forever Gold which took the spoils in a big field for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (qualifier) for jockey Chris Timmons.
The winner completed a Meath one, two, three in the valuable three-mile contest with Noel Meade's Russian Bi further four and three parts of a length back in third under Luke Dempsey for Gordon Elliott.
'I'll probably go back chasing with him, I had picked out the Grand National trial at Punchestown at the end of January, he's probably not high enough to get into Irish National but I see him going for it some day,' commented the trainer who was saddling his second winner for December.
LIMERICK
There was plenty of Meath success at Limerick today also with Enfield trainer Frances Slevin on the mark with De Glebe Star which won a handicap hurdle comfortably for Ardcath jockey Ger Fox.
Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch was in double form for trainer Henry De Bromhead in a maiden hurdle with well backed 10/11 favourite Deans Road and Domesday Book ina beginners' chase while Gordon Elliott maintained his impressive form with a win in the opening race with Ball D'arc.