DUAL-Cheltenham-winning trainer Tom Cooper is eyeing a return to the Festival with promising mare Amen Kate (4/1), who landed Thurles’ featured Listed Billy Harney Memorial Irish EBF Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle.

Owned by Ciaran Mooney and John Ryan, Amen Kate had jinked and unseated her rider at the start of a recent Punchestown race but last Saturday she produced a capable and battling performance to score by two and a quarter-lengths, under jockey Jack Kennedy.

A delighted Cooper reported: “She was good and tough and stays. They went a proper gallop, she jumped and travelled and Jack said she was in her comfort zone.

“It was very unfortunate the last day when she just jinked back from the tape. There was no badness in it and it was nothing to do with Sean (Flanagan, jockey then) but she gave him no chance of staying on.

“She had been very tricky but is a different mare this year as we got an issue sorted with her last year.”

He added: “Bryan (son, ex-leading jockey) loves her and why wouldn’t he, as he bought her. She was well-bought as she has some pedigree and her dam and second-dam are both Grade 1 winners. This mare isn’t overly big but she is bigger than both those mares, who were tiny.

“The dream is very much alive and she will probably go straight to the mares’ novice at Cheltenham now. I don’t think ground is an issue to her and good horses seem to go on any ground.”

Rout his rivals

Racing began with the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase, which saw Jonathan Sweeney’s Rushmount (11/4 favourite) rout 13 rivals, when scoring by 14 lengths, with Cheltenham now also in the winning trainer’s mind.

Ridden by Philip Donovan, the son of Shirocco led travelling strongly before the final fence and won very easily from Mount Frisco.

Sweeney commented: “That was impressive, as he had top weight around here in a tricky enough race. I had him in the beginners’ chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but it was after we got the handicap mark recently that I decided to come here. He also likes the nicer ground here. He had some good runs, had a nice run here the last day and that bit of experiencer stood to him.

“We’ll see where he goes next and being suited by spring ground, Cheltenham is a possibility.”

Dust keeps up fine run of form

THE Emmet Mullins-trained, Donal O’Connor-owned Rising Dust (5/2 favourite) continued his fine recent run of form, when landing the Molony Cup Handicap Chase under jockey Donagh Meyler.

Racing prominently throughout, the son of Leading Light led at the second-last and scored by eight lengths from Aclass.

Afterwards Mullins said: “He jumped from fence to fence but Donagh said he was at the pin of his collar and said he had to jump that well to hold his position. The race was on at just the right time as any more rain wouldn’t have suited.

“He is enjoying his racing and the bit of nice ground is the biggest trick with him. It is great to get four wins with him (this season) although life will be a lot harder now. He could come back here again next.”

Hat-trick

The Philip Rothwell-trained Kotkito Bello (11/4 favourite) is another in fine fettle in recent months, and completed a hat-trick of recent wins in the WTW Willis Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden by Tiernan Power Roche, the five-year-old followed up a recent Punchestown win and a course success in October when scoring readily by eight and a half lengths from Fiver Friday.

Rothwell wasn’t present and Power Roche reported: “Everything has come together with him recently and he has been very well placed by Philip. He has a high cruising speed and is very good at that trip.

“In fairness to Alan Hudson, who rides him out and does all the work and schooling with him, he told me that this horse would give me my winner before Christmas and he was right.”

Martin on the mark

Trainer Tony Martin was on the mark in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle (Div I), as his Chichester Park (3/1) scored for the Lyreen Syndicate and jockey Daniel King.

Placed third behind Cheltenham Bumper runner-up Heads Up at Listowel in September, Chichester Park was held up behind the leaders in this race and, having led at the last, held on to score by a length from eyecatching runner-up Bulgaden Castle, who finished well.

Martin reported: “We went back for a bumper to Down Royal the last day but he obviously wasn’t a bumper horse. He looked to be running a good second that day but fizzled out. In fairness, while he finished last of four then, it wasn’t a bad run as he was beaten no distance.

“Previously he had come home well over hurdles at Listowel and maybe hurdles in front of him is what he wants. While he isn’t in the top drawer, he is a nice horse and will go for a rated novice next.

“The owners (Lyreen Syndicate) are good loyal owners of mine for years so I’m delighted for them.”

Deegan has the Power to win

THE widest-margin winner of the day was the Joseph O’Brien-trained Zeus Power (3/1), who landed the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle (Div II) by 16 lengths, for owners Power Thoroughbreds PTY Limited and jockey Richie Deegan.

The four-year-old raced with the leaders and went clear in the home straight, beating Luker’s Tipple easily.

Michael Halford, representing O’Brien, later reported: “It was a lovely performance, he travelled really well and jumped great, apart from having a little look at the second-last.

“He is improving with every run, is a lovely big horse and has plenty scope about him.

“He is a big baby, the penny is starting to drop with him and you’d like the way he is improving with every run.

“We’ll see what Joseph thinks. He’ll probably go for a novice race somewhere now.”

Last-gasp success

Long Branch (6/1) took advantage of a low weight when scoring a last-gasp success in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle, for owner/trainer Seamus Neville and 7lb claimer Michael Kenneally.

While leader He Can’t Dance - who conceded 22lb to the winner, looked home for all money on the run-in, he was headed in the last strides by stronger-finishing Long Branch, with a half-length separating the pair at the line.

Neville said: “Michael is great value for his 7lb, that’s his first win for me and it worked out well. He had previously ridden for me a few weeks ago and is a good up-and-coming pilot.

“He stayed on very well and we’ll look for another conditions novice hurdle next. Hopefully he will keeping doing jobs.”

Before Christmas

The final race run before Christmas was the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Bumper, which was won by the Gavin Cromwell-trained Lennon Grove (7/2), under jockey Derek O’Connor.

The 16-runner race was run steadily and while gambled Fastnet Crystal (4/1 - 13/8 favourite) gave chase to the winner in the final furlong, a half-length separated the pair at the line.

Cromwell later commented: “She is a quick mare, they sprinted today, and she has loads of gears and stayed going really well.

“It was a nice performance.

“Derek had her for point-to-points so thanks to him, as he recommended that we got her for the track and I’m delighted for the owners (Silverpark Racing Partnership).

“We might go straight over hurdles now, she jumps really well and I’d say she will settle better over hurdles as well.”