DENSE fog caused major problems at last Saturday’s Gowran Park fixture and led to the meeting being called off before the final race in the interests of safety. The visibility deteriorated steadily throughout the afternoon and, had it not been for the combined efforts of manager Eddie Scally, who drove an IRIS cameraman around the track in a car with a sunroof, racegoers would have been left almost in the dark.

They had to make do with only limited glimpses of the action and the jockeys didn’t fare much better. The majority said they couldn’t see the next fence, while clerk of the course Paddy Graffin was struggling to see the winning post.

After consulting with a number of riders, trainers, the racecourse manager and Graffin, the stewards abandoned the remainder of the meeting, due to the deteriorating light and worsening fog conditions.

Nevertheless, a couple of potential stars did manage to brighten up the gloom earlier, the Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned pair Invitation Only and Bellshill in particular, while there is more to come from Zabana.

From Andy Lynch’s yard, he triumphed in the Gowran Park Thanks To All Our Customers In 2016 Chase.

Ridden as usual by Davy Russell, the 11/8 favourite was close up in second behind Henry de Bromhead’s new recruit Champagne West who made several costly mistakes. Zabana, in contrast, was sure-footed throughout and took over three from home to hold the effort of Kitten Rock by one and a half lengths.

Racing in the maroon and white striped silks of Chris Jones from Sandymount, the seven-year-old earned quotes for the Gold Cup after his champion novice chase win at the Punchestown Festival and this was only his second outing since then.

Lynch cautioned: “I thought they went too fast and it was some gallop but he just got home. He’s not 100% fit yet and I don’t know where he’ll go now.

“Davy was talking about Leopardstown at Christmas. I think he’s more a spring horse, so we’ll see what happens and, if the ground at Leopardstown is right, I’ll run him.”

The Willie Mullins-trained Invitation Only kept his unbeaten record intact when capturing the Race That Stops A County Thyestes Jan 26th 2017 Maiden Hurdle with the minimum of fuss. Leading from start to finish under Ruby Walsh, the 1/4 favourite was challenged by Barra on the run to the last, but quickened away to collect first time over hurdles with plenty in hand by two and three-quarter lengths.

Mullins commented: “We’ll look for a novice for him around Christmas time and he’ll have no problem going up in trip. We think he stays all day, but it was nice to see him show that turn of foot and they opened up a nice gap back to the third.”

The trainer and jockey supplemented that win with a taking success for the same owners’ Grade 1 novice hurdle winner Bellshill in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

A point-to-point runner-up as a four-year-old, the 2/5 favourite tracked Balko Des Flos, who forfeited his chance with a blunder at the penultimate obstacle, and was eight lengths clear of his rival facing up to the last, on his initial start over fences.

Bellshill increased that advantage to 10 lengths at the line and Mullins remarked: “I was happy with that and it appeared, from what I could see, that he jumped really well. Ruby said when he asked him for one at the second last, he gave it to him and we’ll look forward to the next rung up the ladder, wherever that may be.”

HARRINGTON WINNER

Jessica Harrington, whose fellow Grade 1 novice hurdler Don’t Touch It finished third in that race, struck with 16/1 outsider Light That in the Join Gowran Park Golf Club Novice Hurdle. His owners, the Flyers Syndicate from Dublin and Monaghan had plenty to cheer about, as it was their second success in three days.

Up with the pace from flag fall, Robbie Power’s mount took over at the third from home where Sound Money made steady headway to go in pursuit. They had the race to themselves from the second last, but both horses erred at the final obstacle.

Light That, however, found more on the run-in to win comfortably by a head.

Mrs Harrington commented: “In Wexford we dropped him in which he didn’t like, but today Robbie let him bowl along and he stayed going. He’s as tough as old boots and came back well after the mistake at the last; he doesn’t want to be headed and is a chaser in the making.

“The owners are a good bunch of lads who enjoy their racing. They lost a very good mare in Moon Bell at Fairyhouse about six weeks ago, so they’re entitled to have a bit of fun and they know how to celebrate!”

FIZZING AGAIN

Champagne Pat left his below par performance at Punchestown well behind him to cause a 10/1 upset under Ambrose McCurtin in the www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Hurdle. The son of Frozen Power made virtually all, regaining the lead after being headed by Niven at the final flight to oblige by two lengths in the colours of Sean Dunne from Tipperary.

Champagne Pat’s Rathgormac-based handler Jonathan Sweeney said: “We just drew a line through Punchestown where they didn’t go fast enough. He’s a horse you have to know and Ambrose gave him a super ride.”

Market leader Dakota Moirette was one of four independent casualties at the first hurdle.

FOLLOW-UP

Tom Mullins saddled his wife Helen’s Catcheragain for a quick follow-up to her win at Thurles three days earlier with a half-length success in the Gowran Park Racing Club 80-102 Handicap Hurdle.

Sent off the 5/4 favourite, the seven-year-old rallied to get the better of Adreamstillalive under 7lb claimer Adam Short, who was notching up the seventh win in of his career. His bemused trainer observed: “This time last week I didn’t think she’d win two in the one week, but we took a chance and it paid off.”

Acting Stewards:

N.P. Lambert, N. McCaffrey, V. Connolly, Mrs C. Corballis, S. Quinn.

HORSE TO FOLLOW

INVITATION ONLY (W.P. Mullins) Oozed class when winning first time over timber to remain unbeaten. Looks an exciting novice hurdle prospect.