HE had to settle for a near miss in the graded novice chase earlier on the card but a notable success was in the offing for John Ryan just half an hour later as he produced Dromore Lad to spring a 40/1 shock under Sean O’Keeffe in the Paddy Power Cork Grand National Handicap Chase.

This Frank Reynolds-owned gelding spent a lengthy spell in the wilderness having not won since January 2018 and he only had his attention turned to chasing in early September when taking second behind Line Out in a beginners’ event at Ballinrobe. He made his second appearance over fences only a week prior to this but a lack of experience was no barrier to success in this exacting stamina test over three and a half miles.

Understandably given the conditions the complexion of the race changed considerably over the last half mile but one constant was the Sean O’Keeffe-ridden winner who held a share of the lead from three out. From this point on this thorough stayer made the best of his way home to finish nine lengths ahead of Rocky’s Silver. This was a landmark victory for the winning rider who rode out his claim with this success.

“He’s a dour stayer and he’s as tough as nails. He could go for something like the Porterstown Chase next and there is the Welsh National to consider too. I’m delighted for his owner, Frank, and it’s a nice way for Sean to ride out his claim,” said Ryan.

The nature of jumps racing is such that one is loathe to dish out the term certainty but if ever there was one it was Dreal Deal who made it five wins on the spin and three in a row over jumps in the Paddy Power-sponsored two-mile handicap hurdle.

The Ronan McNally-owned and trained gelding had 23lbs in hand as he took his chance under a mandatory penalty and won with any amount to spare, ridden supremely confidently by Maxine O’Sullivan again. The 2/9 favourite, who held an official revised rating of 134 coming into this race, continues to look like a horse with graded-race potential.

“Ideally I wouldn’t have run him as he’s a baby but my hand was forced. Maxine gave him a great ride at Punchestown and it would have been very unfair to take her off him,” stated McNally. “I’d say we’ll give him a month or six weeks now and given the rating he has gone up to we are entitled to consider some better races for him now. He’s a horse with a lot of options in terms of trip and if he didn’t run in a handicap at Cheltenham we could look at one of the novice races.”

The day concluded with another facile winner as the Willie Mullins-trained Brooklyn Gold (10/11) bolted up in the mares winners bumper in the style of a quality performer.

The debut Listowel winner was travelling with the utmost ease when Patrick Mullins sent her past Powerful Out with over a furlong to run and she eased clear to score by 17 lengths. This daughter of Fame And Glory carries the colours of Swords Bloodstock Limited.

“If I’m honest I was a little disappointed with her at Listowel as that’s what I thought she would do there. I think she would be good enough for the likes of the mares’ bumper at Aintree,” said the rider.

A RED letter day for Cappoquin-based owner-trainer-breeder Robert Murphy was in the offing as Darrens Hope gave him the biggest success of his career in the Listed Paddy’s Rewards Club EBF Novice Hurdle over three miles.

Fresh from a commanding maiden success at Ballinrobe the six-year-old daughter of Oscar, who had been placed at Grade 3 level last season, turned up in the form of her life to become the third mare in a row to win this race. Paul Townend made all the running on the well-backed 5/2 chance and, after coming wide in search of better ground in the straight, Darrens Hope retained control of the race at all stages to dish out a seven-length beating to the favourite, Ragnar Lodbrok.

“She’s an exciting mare. This race came up sooner than ideal but she stays really well and the further the better for her,” stated Murphy. “Maybe she will go for another staying novice hurdle but it’s possible she could go chasing now.”

Elsewhere, the long reach of Joseph O’Brien was felt in the Paddy Power-sponsored Grade 3 novice chase over two and a half miles where Home By The Lee (13/2) followed-up his comeback success in a Limerick beginners’ event last month. On increasingly testing ground J.J. Slevin took his time on the Sean O’Driscoll-owned and bred son of Fame And Glory before producing him with a steady effort in the straight. The 22/1 chance Waitnsee produced a bold effort from the front and bravely fought off the favourite Foxy Jacks but, on the run-in, she succumbed to Home By The Lee who finished with a length and three quarters to spare.

“He stays very well and is a lovely horse for the future. I didn’t get a wonderful jump from him at the last but he kept on well from it and he’s done well considering it was just his second run over fences,” commented Slevin.