WHILE just five lined up for the Matchbook Betting Exchange Craddockstown Novice Chase, the Grade 2 proved a fascinating race to watch, with the fortunes of market leaders Westport Cove (9/4) and Fleur In The Park (10/11f) changing a number of times in the straight.

Willie Mullins’ Westport Cove, a Grade 3 winner last time, took well to the winter ground, leading the field under Paul Townend. The Andy Slattery-trained favourite was hot on his heels turning for home and gained the upper hand at the second last following a mistake by the leader.

Cian Quirke’s mount mimicked Townend’s ride with an ungainly jump at the final fence, and Westport Cove took full advantage, rallying gamely to lead by a neck on the line. The gutsy pair finished nine lengths clear of Qualimita in third.

“We’ve had our ups and downs today; Sortudo won at Cork but Jade De Grugy got beaten,” Mullins reflected. “I didn’t think he could win this, but he fought back bravely.”

On future plans for the Cathal Hughes-owned winner, the trainer added: “I’d rather come back here if I could find a race in the New Year. I haven’t any plan made; I wasn’t sure he would handle this ground, so the fact that he’s won on it is a big bonus and we can stay training him during the winter.”

PAUL Nolan’s Feet Of A Dancer (7/2) gained a well-deserved listed win, following multiple blacktype placings, when drawing nine lengths clear in the Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle under Sean O’Keeffe.

The highest-rated in the field, the six-year-old was tapped for toe when longtime leader Fun Fun Fun (5/6f) initially quickened, but found another gear turning for home under Sean O’Keeffe. Sweeping past the favourite upon entering the straight, Feet Of A Dancer drew clear from the final flight, while Mozzies Sister claimed runners-up honours, half a length in front of The Great Nudie.

Sunday marked a first win since Feet Of A Dancer transferred to the ownership of Cathy Byrne, following the passing of her husband Philip, who Paul Nolan paid tribute to at Punchestown.

“Phil is looking down on us,” Nolan said. “He was a great fella and you can see how much this means to Cathy. Phil was with us from the very start and unfortunately, he died suddenly last year. It was a horrendous blow for Cathy and the family. He was a brilliant musician himself and called this mare after a song.”

DESERTMORE House (3/1) completed the first leg of a double for Martin Brassil when recording a comfortable four-length win in the opening Colm Quinn BMW Risk Of Thunder Chase

Ricky Doyle looked confident throughout aboard the OBP Carroll and Anthony Vaughan-owned 10-year-old, who made a winning return to action at Damma House earlier this month – his first success since landing the 2023 Kerry National.

“He loves it,” Brassil reported. “He had his first run here in the La Touche in the spring – he was good [finished second] – and we had him here the other day just for a pop round and he was always looking for the next bank, just attacking the whole thing, so I thought he’d run a big race.

“We’ll probably aim for the Cross Country at Cheltenham in the spring. He’s very adaptable, very quick on his feet, likes to turn. He’s a great horse and it’s great to have him.”

Stablemate It’s Only A Game was sent off 11/8 favourite for the Jimmy Hayes Memorial Bumper, having finished a promising second on debut at the Festival. John Gleeson bided his time until slipping through a narrow gap along the rail after the two-furlong pole, with Boycetown’s rider Declan Lavery later receiving a three-day suspension for careless riding at that stage. In front by the final furlong, It’s Only A Game ran on strongly to score by three and a half lengths.

“High hopes”

“We’re very happy, he’s a lovely horse,” Brassil commented. “He showed us a nice bit of promise there in the spring and we really have high hopes for him.”

On future plans, the trainer continued: “We just said we’d start today and I’m not sure if we’ll go hurdling now or keep him until next year. He’s everything you’d like in a good horse.”

Reflecting on Fastorslow’s third in the John Durkan Chase, Brassil said: “Thrilled with him. We’d never run him on ground as dead or soft before; he’s a better horse on spring ground. We loved the way he finished.”

PAT Collins, who has four horses in training near Newry, enjoyed a day to remember when Champagne Kid beat well-regarded rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle. Despite smart form in the spring, the Gary Rushe-owned six-year-old was sent off 14/1 against the likes of Willie Mullins’ Grade 2 bumper winner Green Splendour (8/13f) and Gordon Elliott’s Grade 2-placed He Can’t Dance (4/1).

Separating that pair as they turned for home, Eoghan Finegan’s mount fought it out with Court Compliance approaching the final flight and dug deep to win by half a length.

“We were looking forward to today’s run; we fancied him to run well,” Sean Collins, son of the winning trainer, reported. “He set the standard today because he was rated 118. I think he’ll have no bother going up in trip, so we’ll have to see where we go next, maybe a run around Christmas time or after.”

On Champagne Kid’s previous form against Koktail Divin, Collins continued: “That form stood up well; he went on to be fourth in a Grade 1 novice at Aintree and he was placed in a Grade 2 yesterday. That gave us a boost for today.”

Special supporters

Kotkito Bello’s connections also made their delight clear after the Philip Rothwell-trained grey made all under Calum Hogan in the Donohue Marquees Novice Handicap Hurdle, following up on a successful chase debut at Thurles last time out.

The Oliver Barden-owned bottom-weight looked the likely winner turning for home, though County Final gave a late scare when flying home from the last, but could only narrow the gap to a length and a half.

“His form from Thurles has worked out well; the second horse came out and won a handicap last week,” Rothwell said. “I know it was over fences but I always thought on softer ground, he could be a better horse and thankfully I was right. Weight, on the ground, was a huge help.

“The Barden family are huge supporters; Oliver has been so good to me for 20 years, so having winners for them is very special.”

Back in form

Custom Taylor’s attempt to get a run on his rivals was not as successful in the Pertemps Network Group Handicap Hurdle, with Carl Millar taking over in the straight aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained Staffordshire Knot (11/2). Ridden from the final flight, the Gigginstown-owned bay kept on to score by five and a half lengths.

Elliott was pleased by his charge’s return to form, the now seven-year-old having shown great promise as a novice, when he was bought from the Caldwell Dispersal for €510,000. “To be honest, he’s been disappointing,” he said.

“He came with a bit of a reputation but I just don’t think he was right last year; he never held his condition or put on weight. This year, he looks a lot better and that was a good performance under top weight.”