Secret weapon

CHAMPION national hunt trainer Noel Meade and jockey Paul Carberry achieved an impressive hat-trick of grade one victories at the weekend.

Stable star Harchibald produced some of his former sparkle when he landed the 'Fighting Fifth' hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday, a race he won three years ago, and the duo continued their rich vein of form at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

The Castletown handler sent out three winners which included the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle and the Hatton's Grace hurdle.

Muirhead was quoted at 16/1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham next March following his win in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. Carberry's mount benefited from a mistake at the last flight by the Barry Geraghty-pertnered Cork All Star, but the jockey felt that he would have won anyway.

"I think I would have got to Barry, but obviously when he made a mistake at the last it helped," stated Carberry to RTE's Robert Hall after the race.

Questioned about Harchibald's victory in the 'Fighting Fifth' hurdle at Newcastle the previous day, Carberry was upbeat about the gelding's prospects for the rest of the season.

"I suppose the secret to Harchibald is to let him get there himself, he's always doing his best for you anyway and it's his jumping that really makes the difference," stated the former champion jockey.

Looking ahead to Cheltenham, Carberry highlighted the fact that there is a long run in from the last at Prestbury Park.

"If there was shorter distance from the last to the post it would definitely benefit Harchibald, but he's older now and we'll just have to wait and see how things develop," added Carberry.

The Meade - Carberry combination was back in the winners' enclosure when Aitmatov landed the Hatton's Grace hurdle with a well-timed run in the home straight.

Carberry set about overhauling the long-time leader Sweet Klin from the James Bowe stable in a real David versus Goliath contest.

This time, Goliath prevailed with the champion trainer's Aitmatov benefiting from what Meade described as the stable's secret weapon.

"Paul is a jockey everywhere on the course, not just in a tight finish, he can give a horse a breather for a few strides at the right time and that's the difference between winning and losing," stated Meade.

Carberry closed the gap slowly against the battling Bowe-trained mare and 'got there' by a short-head in the final stride.

"I knew she wasn't a great mare to tackle early on so I had to get to the front at the right time and then she couldn't get back at me," he explained.

Carberry also took the opportunity to show his support for the Ward Union Hunt. "I hope the Ward's get the licence sorted out fairly soon," he added.

The Fairyhouse hat-trick was completed when Sigma Digital landed a maiden hurdle, but the trainer just failed to complete a four-timer when Sigma Lifestyle went down by a length in the bumper.

There was also a local victory for the GG Racing Syndicate when Bill's Folly prevailed in a handicap hurdle for the father - son combination of trainer Paddy Mooney and jockey Martin Mooney. Owned by the GG Racing Syndicate, who previously enjoyed success with a good handicap chaser, Political Animal, comprises Brian Clarke, Martin Egan, Gerry Doyle, John Mulgrew, Brian Wall and Aidan Wall.