GORDON Elliott sealed a one-two in the featured Pepsi Max Hurdle over three miles as He Can’t Dance put his best hoof forward to see off stablemate Timeless Treaty. James Smith made all aboard six-year-old gelding He Can’t Dance (13/8) and, try as 10/11 favourite Timeless Treaty did along the run-in, he was half a length behind at the line.

Smith, in the Gigginstown House Stud silks, said: “I just got an easy lead in front - went nice and steady, and then quickened it up kind of going down the back the last time, and kept going.”

Battling home

Goody Four Shoes and Barrow Ranger fought out a battle in the Club Mixers Handicap Chase with the former taking the honours by a neck. Barrow Ranger held a definite advantage between the final two fences, but Goody Four Shoes kept digging deep for Harry Sexton on the run-in and edged ahead close home at 9/2 for owners Frank Daly and Lorna Groarke.

Tom Gibney said: “We thought the last day here (fell four out) we were definitely going to be there or thereabouts. He hadn’t moved and he was well in it. It was a terrific battle and he’s never had to do that before. He’s a big horse who took a lot of time.”

Sexton was banned for two days over time to respond to the whip, while Gavin Brouder, on runner-up Barrow Ranger, was suspended for two days for frequency with the whip.

GODOLPHIN cast-off Alfred Wincham created a taking impression on racecourse debut for Anthony McCann in the Energise (Pro-Am) Flat Race.

The Dubawi gelding looked to have plenty on his plate in eighth fully three furlongs from home, but stormed into contention a furlong down for Aine O’Connor and scooted past Weaponized in the final 150 yards to win going away by five and a half lengths at 10/1 for the EveryThingforsale Syndicate.

“He has done a couple of lovely pieces of work,” McCann said. “Very, very green - it was his first time on grass for me. He could be going to the sales. Either that or I will put him back on the flat, he has plenty of speed.”

Michael Sharpe, on fifth-placed Born To Caledonie, picked up a two-day suspension over a careless riding incident.

Long odds

Berto Ramirez made a mockery of his 25/1 odds with a ready success in the Ballygowan Maiden Hurdle. Aidan Kelly was content to track the leaders and made progress before the penultimate flight where they grabbed a share of the lead.

A slight mistake there didn’t stop them taking over and, although less than fluent at the last, the four-year-old gelding finished strongly to strike by five and a half lengths for owners Denis O’Mahony, Daibheid McHugh, Desmond J. Kelly and Grattan Butler.

Andrew McNamara said: “He does (appreciate better ground) - we ran him on softer ground through the winter, and the lads were hoping that he would get into the Fred Winter.

“He had some nice runs and just missed out on the Fred Winter, so they gave him a spin around in the Triumph just for a day out. This is much more back to his own level of stuff today, but he did it well and travelled well.”

JOHN McConnell’s Bella Union has really hit form with a vengeance and followed up on a Bellewstown success last month in the Club Lemon Handicap Hurdle over an extended two miles and one furlong.

The 10-year-old gelding was a long-standing maiden before popping up in Bellewstown and franked that effort here. Dylan Kidd was on board the 8/1 chance and held him up towards the rear of the field.

They made good headway on the outer after the third last flight and further progress saw them lead over the last. Bella Union was gritty in the closing stages, as he saw it out by three-quarters of a length for owner Derek Kierans.

The jockey said: “I was in no rush, he’s a bit of a tricky horse to ride really and you just kind of have to ride him his own way. He did win cosily enough, so hopefully he has more up his sleeve.”

Versatile

Jumping was the name of the game in the Club Orange Beginners Chase and Court Canyon’s jumping certainly won him the race. Paddy O’Hanlon raced him prominently and, once they took over at the third fence, they got into a good jumping rhythm off the front.

Scalpnagoon came with his challenge two out. However, he made a mistake there and Court Canyon soon asserted. The 10/1 chance stayed on well to post a seven-length success for Jarlath P. Conway.

Ian Donoghue said: “He won a point-to-point for Gavin (Cromwell) and we haven’t schooled him that much over fences. He’s versatile ground-wise and trip-wise - I wouldn’t be afraid to go out (in trip), he could be one for a Summer Plate (Market Rasen).”

Dramatic conclusion

Catalani was a warm order for the C&C White Maiden Hunters Chase, but his winning margin of 25 lengths didn’t tell the whole story.

The 8/15 favourite was half a length up on a challenging Colvin in jumping the last fence, but that rival made a blunder and unseated Jack Johnson, leaving the leader to come home as he pleased in the hands of Rob James for owner Donnchadh Doyle.

Trainer Jack Foley said: “His form has been fierce good this year, he hasn’t been out of the first three whether it be a point-to-point or on the track, bar one day in Thurles.

“Rob was delighted with him, he said it is as good as he has ever jumped and he loves that good ground.”