HENRY de Bromhead’s Heart Wood (2/1 joint-favourite) dominated in the feature O’Driscoll’s Irish Whiskey New Year’s Day Chase, and was undoubtedly the highlight of a treble for Darragh O’Keeffe.

Registering his second Grade 3 success of the season, the Robcour-owned eight-year-old jumped with aplomb and kicked clear before the penultimate obstacle, ultimately easing to an eight-and-a-half-length win.

One of four Willie Mullins-trained representatives in the seven strong field, Ile Atlantique (11/2) filled the runner-up spot under Sean O’Keeffe, while Croke Park was a further 15 lengths away in third.

“That was great. He got a great ride from Darragh and I’m delighted for the Achesons,” de Bromhead, who was completing a double, reflected.

“He was tough and jumped brilliantly. Darragh said his jumping was electric, short or long. He’s had three runs this season and I’d say he’ll miss the Dublin Racing Festival. We’ll see though, we’ll enjoy today.

“We’ll get him home and you’d imagine the Ryanair would be the race for him, but I suppose we have to try him over three miles again sometime.”

In an initiative funded by the race sponsor, the bay victor is now in line for a €50,000 bonus should he go on to win any race at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Successful plan

O’Keeffe and de Bromhead had earlier combined to take the Jimmy Shanahan Memorial Handicap Hurdle with Captain Ryan Matt.

Well-supported into 13/8 joint-favouritism (from early shows of 7/2), the Affinisea six-year-old raced mainly in second before improving to the front approaching four out.

Owned by Derek Coles and family, the 116-rated bay kicked clear from the two-furlong pole and soon had matters under control, powering to a 13-length win.

“He was brilliant there and jumped really well, way better than he has done,” de Bromhead commented. “We sort of pinpointed this race and I’m delighted.”

Working hard

The current leader in the race to be crowned champion jockey, O’Keeffe completed his near 35/1 three-timer on Ag Obair Go Crua (7/2) in the concluding Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase.

Defying top-weight on just his second start over fences, the John Flavin-trained seven-year-old blundered six fences from the finish.

Recovering quickly, he gained an outright advantage on the downhill run after the third last and found plenty for pressure when ridden, holding off the late effort of Duffys Hodey (2/1 favourite), who stumbled before the penultimate obstacle, by a length.

“Darragh gave him an unbelievable ride. He made a bad mistake at the last with a circuit to go, but he grabbed a hold of him after that and just said we’re doing it now today, and thankfully he did,” Flavin said of the Tus Maith Syndicate-owned victor.

AFTER a highly productive end to 2025, Gordon Elliott’s rich vein of form continued, as the Cullentra handler combined with Danny Gilligan to register a brace.

The pair initiated their double in the opening David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle, with the easy-to-back Stede Bonnet (10/3 from 13/8 early) claiming this extended two-mile heat.

Going toe to toe with Arslan (4/9 favouite) from flag fall, the Agardsley Investments Limited-owned victor gained the upper hand approaching the last and came home four and three quarters of a length clear of the market leader.

“Danny knew he’d stay going well, so he was good and positive on him. He jumped well and he’s a grand horse,” Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, stable representative, commented.

No nonsense

Gilligan also gave American Jukebox (3/1 from 9s early) a no-nonsense ride, with this Gigginstown House Stud-owned six-year-old proving far too good for his rivals in the Ryans Cleaning Services Maiden Hurdle.

Alternating the lead with 11/8 favourite Did I Ask You That and not fluent over the second and sixth, the bay victor quickly kicked clear of the market leader from the two-furlong pole and ultimately he was eased to a 19-length win in first time cheekpieces.

“He had good runs in bumpers, but his last two runs had been disappointing. The cheekpieces probably did help him today and he’s back to what he showed us in his early days,” Amond reported afterwards.

“The horses are all just in such good form.”

SUCCESSFUL at this New Year’s Day fixture 12-months ago, Rockbrook (17/2) once again showed his liking for the undulations of Graun Hill when winning the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Rated Novice Chase.

Making virtually all under Shane O’Callaghan, the Philip Rothwell-trained nine-year-old was pressed by Cappucino from two out, but found plenty when ridden before the last fence, beating his rival by three quarters of a length.

“The tight, undulating track here suits him,” O’Callaghan said of the GVD Syndicate-owned bay.

“He got his own way out in front and it wasn’t by any means a hard race on him. He got control and done what he wanted. He won snugly enough in the end.”

The Armagh native then added: “I think I’ve five winners left on my 5lb claim now and if I get that down by the end of the season I’ll be happy enough.”

Fencing future

In the colours of the Meadows Racing Club, Roccabaker was also returned at 17/2 (touched 20s early), with this Cian Quirke-ridden eight-year-old leading home 14 rivals in the Tramore Medical Clinic Handicap Hurdle.

Making steady headway on the final circuit, the 85-rated bay gained an outright advantage shortly before the final flight and kept on well from there to beat Maciver by five lengths.

“She’s a good staying mare and she’ll be better over fences,” the winning trainer Harry Kelly, who was registering his second success in as many days, remarked.

“She is a nice honest mare, gets a trip well and doesn’t like to be in front too long.

“That’s why Cian was just hanging on and hanging on today. Hopefully the handicapper will give her a chance and I’m looking forward to going over fences with her.”