REBEL Gold justified Pat Foley’s faith when landing a big pot for connections in the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse last Saturday.

The 10-year-old was well backed in the two-mile-one feature contest, from 14/1 into 5/1, and that support proved well founded.

Denis O’Regan always looked happy on his mount who raced prominently and led after the eighth fence, in the €80,000 contest. He was in command running down to the last fence and stayed on strongly on the run-in to post a comprehensive nine-length success over the previous year’s winner Dunvegan.

Foley trains the winner for owners Thomas Stanley, Michael O’Dowd, Ann Nolan and Richard Kennedy and he said afterwards: “That was a great thrill. Me and my father always thought this lad had a big race in him.

“He was the last winner my father had in Gowran so it’s extra special to get a big one out of him today. We were so unlucky that he hadn’t won a big one by now, he’d been placed so many times. He’s so consistent and the handicapper hasn’t always been easy on him. Whatever happens after today, it doesn’t matter, it’s a bonus.

“We went for the Leopardstown Chase last year with him and really thought he’d get the trip, as it turned out he didn’t really. We might go back for it and ride him differently, try to creep into it.”

Fine form

Must Be Obeyed is another mare in fine form and she put on a fine display of jumping to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase.

Darragh O’Keeffe was soon in front on the 9/2 shot and she pulled clear before the last to record an easy 13-length success in the two miles and five furlongs contest.

The Mustameet mare had also scored at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and trainer Tom Gibney said: “She was brilliant. I’ve said from day one with her that the hardest part is just getting her out there, she’s very temperamental.

“I wouldn’t normally be keen on running them back too quick, especially a three-miler chaser and a novice on top of that, but she seemed well after the other race and the conditions of this race were very suitable.”

WILLIE Mullins struck with three odds-on shots on the card to continue his red-hot run of form.

Blood Destiny was a big mover in the ante-post market for the Triumph Hurdle following his effortless success in the opening Race Displays Hurdle.

Paul Townend bounced out in front on the 8/13 shot and was soon well clear. He gave his mount a breather turning for home before kicking on again down to the last to record an 18-length success.

“He just has a lovely way of going about it. He was idle enough and missed a couple of hurdles but he was doing nothing,” said the winning rider.

“It was just a matter of getting over the last couple. I slowed down, when they caught up to me, and then gave him one squeeze and he galloped down to the last and away through it again.”

Paddy Power and Betfair both made the Roaringwater Syndicate-owned winner 5/1 from 12/1 for the Cheltenham contest, behind stablemate Lossiemouth.

It looked set to be a similar story on Flame Bearer later in the two-mile-one beginners chase until a scare at the last fence.

The 2/5 shot similarly made all and was a fence ahead jumping the third last. He got the last all wrong, however, and did well to find a leg and stand up to record a 38-length win in the colours of Linda Mulcahy and Mary Wolridge.

“It’s funny how quick you can say your prayers!” joked Townend afterwards.

“I was just praying he was underneath me when I came down. He was magic up to that. There was a bit of noise down there and he just got it wrong. You’d have to love the way he sorted himself out as well. He found a leg and didn’t fall over.

“It was a no-contest from early on but at least he showed us there what he’s showing us at home.”

Bumper winner

Patrick Mullins took the reins on 4/5 favourite Westport Cove in the concluding bumper and the Muhtathir gelding won well despite running freely early on.

He was allowed to stride on into the lead after a couple of furlongs having pulled strongly for his head but the newcomer still found a turn of foot in the closing stages to record a three-length win for owner Cathal Hughes.

The winning rider said: “He won despite fighting me for the first half mile. Usually a horse that does that doesn’t finish the race.

“The fact that he did finish is a testament to his ability.”

OWNER Paul Byrne’s recent purchase of Corbetts Cross looks like another shrewd acquisition after the Gamut gelding ran out an impressive winner of the Philip O’Connor Memorial Handicap Hurdle.

Maxine O’Sullivan took the ride for her father Eugene and the result never looked in doubt for the 15/8 favourite.

He travelled smoothly into the lead before the penultimate flight in the three-miler before scooting clear down to the last to record a six-length win.

“He’s a beautiful horse and he’s improving all the time,” said O’Sullivan. “He was so relaxed here today, a child could walk him around the ring, and he just takes racing in his stride.

“We’re delighted with today and I’m delighted that Paul left him with me for the time being. I don’t think he’ll be staying with me all the time but he’ll be staying with me for his hurdling career. I’d love to have kept him but my business is to survive.”

Blacktype

Jarlath Fahey is eyeing a tilt at some blacktype with Whatcouldhavebeen after she swooped late to land the Peter Nolan Equine Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Aidan Kelly gave the 7/2 shot a finely judged ride as she got on top in the closing stages to record a length-and-a-half success over Feddans.

“It was a brilliant ride from Aidan. He did exactly what we said, he came late and she stayed going well,” said Fahey.

“We’ll see how she comes out of it, we might think about coming back for the Solerina in a few weeks time.”