THE very useful Champagne Gold got back on track over fences and signalled that he could yet be a force in good company over the larger obstacles as he justified 15/8 favouritism in the MSK Silversands Ltd Beginners Chase.

A runner-up in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at last year’s Dublin Racing Festival, the seven-year-old struggled for form last term and was unable to make an impact in two decent beginners’ events prior to Christmas. However, he was turned out in fine shape by Henry de Bromhead for this two-and-a-half-mile contest where he was ridden by Rachael Blackmore.

Gold Cup

In the Gold Cup-winning colours of Barry Maloney, Champagne Gold was under pressure before the straight but he kept responding to his rider’s promptings and he held every chance jumping the second last. On the run in he moved ahead of the game pacesetter Everglow and got the better of that rival by a neck.

“He jumped really well. He just got a bit lost when we set off chasing with him last autumn but he enjoyed himself today. Rachael was super on him and I’m delighted for the Maloneys,” stated the trainer. “I’ve no plan for him but there are a couple of nice novices coming up for him.”

The card also featured the Shamrock Enterprises Beginners Chase over two miles and this race was dominated by the 2/1 joint favourites with the Peter Fahey-trained Visionarian outpointing Hannon.

The market leaders were inseparable from some way out but Denis O’Regan’s mount was that bit stronger in the closing stages to win by three-quarters of a length.

This was a third career success for the Basil Holian-owned seven-year-old who was running for the first time since February.

“We were actually training him for Cheltenham this year. He done his last bit of work before Cheltenham and worked poor, so we found out that he had very bad ulcers. We gave him plenty of time and in fairness to Basil there was no rush with him,” observed Fahey.

“We said we’d start him off here with the plan of Galway. He has two options there, the graded novice chase or the Galway Hurdle, we will see closer to the time which way we go. It’s great to get him back on track, he is a nice horse.”

Bold display breaks run of seconds for Gibney

AFTER a series of honourable efforts in Grade A and Grade B handicaps, Bold Emperor (11/2) deservedly got his turn again in the Molloy Metals Wexford GAA Handicap Chase.

This two-and-a-half-mile race was a reasonable contest, but it was still some way removed from the level of competition that Tom Gibney’s charge had been operating at and he took full advantage of this drop in class. Darragh O’Keeffe struck for home before the fourth last aboard this Fenian Reilly-owned son of Galileo and the nine-year-old brushed aside the effort of Optical Confusion in the straight to win by 15 lengths.

“I’m delighted for Fenian. There were a couple of lads involved in this horse but now it’s just him. We are after having a bunch of seconds so to get the win today was brilliant. He will head to Galway now and I would think he will go for the Galway Blazers,” stated Gibney.

Clear-cut win

The card began with a clear-cut winner for Vincent Halley and Danny Mullins as Senecia captured the Neville Hotels Maiden Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles.

The 4/1 chance had filled the runner-up spot in a Limerick maiden in late May and duly progressed from that as he took charge of this race, entering the straight en route to an easy eight-and-a-half-length victory over Diamondinthemud.

“For a big horse, he has a turn of foot. I think two and a half miles is enough for him at the minute but at the same time I wouldn’t have any problem going back to two. With a bit more experience over hurdles we will be looking at nicer races,” remarked the trainer.

Jockey Niall Moore rode his first winner in Ireland as the John Burke-trained Our Bobby (13/2) took the 80-95 rated Tote Handicap Hurdle over two miles.

The relatively unexposed five-year-old got the better of the favourite, He’s Leading Me On, after two out to carry the day by half a dozen lengths.

Moore is based with Philip Fenton and Gordon Elliott and had ridden three winners for Evan Williams across the water.

Perceval takes full advantage for Cromwell

GAVIN Cromwell looked to have found a gilt-edged opportunity for Perceval Legallois (4/6) in the three-mile maiden hurdle and the 119-rated five-year-old duly seized upon this opening to win well.

Mark Walsh never had to get animated for the J.P. McManus-owned gelding to draw away from Westcoastinformant in the straight and reach the line with 11 lengths to spare.

He was adding to his debut success in a bumper on Thyestes Chase day at Gowran last year.

Derek O’Connor made it two bumper winners in as many days as Hazelhatch Lady struck at 33/1 in the mares’ bumper over two and a half miles. The Frank Reynolds-owned daughter of Doyen had suffered heavy defeats on her first two outings but turned out in better heart on her first outing for over three months to register a four-length success after taking over in front inside the last couple of furlongs.

“Her work at home had been very good. We ran her in a listed bumper (won by American Mike) first time out because we thought a bit of her but she let us down twice. When the rain came I was disheartened altogether but Derek said she handled it well,” declared trainer James Fahey.

“She was entered in the mares’ maiden hurdle today but when she wasn’t getting into it we came for this instead. She will tip on over hurdles now.”