THE’ opening five-runner Grade 3 Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase on Sunday provided plenty of talking points with victory in the end decided by the stewards.

Ramillies was first past the post but he was demoted and the race awarded to Thdevilscoachman (100/30) for owner J.P. McManus, jockey Bryan Cooper and trainer Noel Meade.

Racing away from the second-last fence, Thedevilscoachman challenged between both Ramillies (13/8 favourite) and Amirite (7/2) but was quickly checked as Ramillies, under Paul Townend, moved right.

Thedevilscoachman was impeded twice between the final two fences and jumped the last in third, but finished strongly, failing by a neck to catch Ramillies. Amirite received a bump approaching the last but faded on the run-in to finish third.

The amended result was announced as horses gathered in the parade ring for the second race, with Townend receiving a caution from the stewards.

Right decision

Successful trainer Noel Meade said: “I know I’m biased but I think it was the right decision. What probably made the decision was, when Paul jumped the second last, he came over in front of him.”

He added: “I’ll have to talk to J.P. and Frank (Berry, McManus’ racing manager) before I can say where he’s going to go next because I don’t know. Frank is away on holidays with the boss. I do think wherever he goes, he does need soft ground, that’s essential.

“I think that Cheltenham mightn’t be soft enough for him, if it was good ground there. We might even be thinking more of a handicap there, that might be an idea.

“I didn’t put him in the National Hunt Chase, I put him in the Brown Advisory instead as I think three miles is far enough for him.”

Echoes finds better fortune with Grade 3 win< wiht Grade/section>

RAMILLIES’ trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend experienced better fortune in the later races, completing a treble and double respectively.

The pair bagged the Grade 3 Naas Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle, with Cheltenham-bound and Barnane Stud-owned Echoes In Rain (5/6 favourite), who won by an unextended 10 lengths from stablemate Cash Back.

The race also featured dual Cheltenham winner Bob Olinger, who was dropping in distance following some disappointing runs, but he lacked fluency in his jumping and finished one-paced in a never-dangerous third.

Mullins said: “Echoes In Rain did it nicely, probably better than I expected. We thought we probably had the fastest horse in the race so Paul wasn’t in any rush to get to the front. He was happy enough to let someone else make it.”

He added: “When you go up a grade, to Grade 1, I’m not sure she’s sharp enough at two miles. The mares’ hurdle is two miles and four furlongs and maybe that’s where she’ll go. That would be the first port of call, I’d think.”

Thirty five minutes later Mullins and Townend combined to win the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle with another Cheltenham-bound winner Seabank Bistro (1/2 favourite), for owners Jodmart Construction Ltd.

Immature

The six-year-old was a useful staying winner from Franciscan Rock and Mullins later commented: “Seabank Bistro is a big, immature horse. He did it nicely, jumps well and is more of a chaser, I think. He’ll go out in trip I’d say, maybe to three miles.

“I’d imagine he’ll get entries in Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett and Ballymore - I’d be thinking more the Albert Bartlett at this stage.”

Mullins completed a personal treble in the concluding Naas Nursery Of Champions Bumper, with Western Diego (6/5 favourite) scoring well under his son Patrick Mullins.

Mullins senior reported: “He did it well, making all his own running which is a hard thing to do around here.

“That books his ticket to go across the water to Cheltenham if Steve Parkin (owner, Clipper Logistics Group) wants to go, which I’m sure he will. It’s nice for Steve, who is more associated with the flat.”

THERE was one other Cheltenham candidate to win on the card, as the Charles Byrnes-trained Byker (9/1) staked his Boodles Hurdle claims following his success in the Cheltenham Trials Day At Naas Maiden Hurdle

Ridden by the trainer’s son Philip Byrnes and carrying the colours of owners Relicpride Co Ltd Partnership, Byker raced prominently and defeated Mighty Mo Missouri by a length and three-parts.

Byrnes senior stated: “He’s a lovely, fine, big horse, had a nice run in Limerick and came forward from that. We were hopeful today but there was so much word for a few others that we were getting worried.”

Regarding Cheltenham’s four-year-old handicap hurdle, he added: “He could go but he’d need another run, that was only his second run and he needs three runs. We won’t rule it out.”

The Naas Cleanest Town In Ireland Handicap Hurdle was won by enthusiastic front-runner Doyen Ta Win (6/1, for owners the Newbury Syndicate) which held a clear lead almost throughout but held on for an all-out nose win from Neveradullmoment.

Winning trainer Declan Queally wasn’t present, with successful jockey Kevin Sexton saying: “I was confident I held on and I would have been disappointed if I didn’t. The loose horse (Insane Bolt) definitely helped late on but, to be fair to her, she doesn’t idle.

“She goes as hard as she can for as long as she can and wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s not the easiest to manage but the one thing she does is jump. She deserved it.”

Aarons Day (3/1 favourite) gained a first win for almost three years in the 2023 Membership Novice Handicap Chase, scoring for trainer Oliver McKiernan, owners Keep The Faith Bloodstock Limited and jockey Philip Enright.

McKiernan reported: “A couple of years ago he was left at the start here over hurdles and almost won, but went backwards after that. He’s difficult to handle and can blow a fuse very quickly.

“He’s big and powerful so it’s not simple and today we got him around the parade ring once, got the jockey on and luckily it didn’t take too much out of him - it often does before the race.”

“Hopefully he’s developing and getting better now. He was better today than any day. I have no plans, he’ll probably stay at the likes of that and will stay further in time.”