AFTER a couple of decidedly lean years the 2018 Thyestes Chase victor Monbeg Notorious showed that he remains a force on a going day as he upstaged his stablemate Jury Duty in the Racing TV Chase which went to Gordon Elliott for the fourth year in succession.

On his day the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Monbeg Notorious (7/2) is a very capable sort, and after showing a glimmer of promise in the Leinster National last time he progressed again when helping to force the pace throughout this three and a quarter miles.

A forceful Denis O’Regan got a good tune from the nine-year-old who found plenty for pressure in the closing stages to defeat Jury Duty by two and a half lengths.

“He’s a good horse on his day and Denis was very good and positive on him,” said Elliott. “Last season was a mess with him as he never got his ground but lately he’s been showing his old spark at home and this sort of race suited him well. We’ll just see what happens (regarding racing) but he’d be a likely starter in an Irish Grand National.”

The card ended with a nice display from Delvino who progressed from her hugely promising debut second at Navan last month to land the Johnston Houston (Mares) INH Flat Race. Dermot McLoughlin’s charge was a 4/5 chance to take advantage of a switch to mares only company and she did so in clear cut fashion under Mark O’Hare, defeating the newcomer Sit Down Lucy by four and a half lengths.

Plans are fluid for the Tilly Conway-owned and bred daughter of Dylan Thomas but when the time comes she will have no trouble holding her own in graded races.

Another taking display came in the Hamilton Architects Hunters Chase where Winged Leader added a victory on the track to his five successes in points and he did so in the manner of one who could contend against some of the best of his contemporaries. Barry O’Neill rode the front running evens favourite who was an easy eight and a half lengths winner over Alpha Male.

If circumstances allow t,he winner will line up in a good hunters chase in the coming months. Winged Leader is owned by Jennifer O’Kane.

GAVIN Cromwell notched up a double here to go with a winner at Wexford and he provided Sarah Kavanagh with her first winner as a professional rider when the unconsidered 33/1 chance Demophon bagged the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. This exceedingly well-bred Oasis Dream half-brother to Dartmouth was rated a mere 44 on the flat in Britain, was making his handicap debut over jumps and produced a willing effort to get the better of Kristian Goingwel by half a length. Cromwell trains the six-year-old for Patrick McGuinness.

The Cromwell double was completed by the Brien Kane-ridden Prospectus (9/4) in the North Down Marquees Rated Novice Chase. A couple of weeks on from an encouraging second to Grand Partner at Leopardstown, the McAlpine Syndicate-owned seven-year-old was left in charge when Great Khan forfeited the lead with a mistake two out. On testing ground that he handles so well, Prospectus then stormed clear to score by 20 lengths.

AFTER giving Philip Fenton his first winner for 14 months at Clonmel a couple of weeks Groody Rover (7/1) duly followed up in the Cleary Contracting Ltd Novice Handicap Hurdle where he once again showed a liking for testing ground. The Brian Hayes-ridden son of Milan, who is owned by the trainer’s wife Patricia, was able to dictate a tempo to suit himself and already looked to have this race in safe keeping by the time he flew the third last. Another pair of quick jumps followed at the last couple of obstacles as the six-year-old dished out an 11-length beating to Magic Sea.

Jessica Harrington’s decent run of form continued into the Bluegrass Maiden Hurdle over an extended two miles where Wingin A Prayer got his turn following a number of solid runs in defeat. After reaching the frame in three of his first five starts on the track the Rainbow Gems Syndicate-owned son of Winged Love was backed from 13/2 into 100/30 on track and he dealt with Double Jemmy after two out to record a commanding eight-length triumph under Robbie Power. This gelding should make a nice chaser on soft ground next winter.