Racing:Notre Pere just held Operation Houdini in a dramatic race for the williamhill.ie Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan today. Paul Nicholls' raider Officier De Reserve, the 9-2 favourite, was forced through the running rail after jumping a fence when Chelsea Harbour veered to the left.
Chelsea Harbour unseated Tom Doyle and that changed the complexion of the race.
Notre Pere (6-1) and Operation Houdini (7-1) were left out in front and battled all the way to the line with Notre Pere, ridden by Andrew Lynch and trained by Jim Dreaper, who came out on top. Ballistraw (40-1) was third.
Pandorama maintained his unbeaten record with a bloodless victory in the "Monksfield" Novice Hurdle.
Racing at Grade Two level for the first time, Noel Meade's five year-old was still on a tight rein turning into the straight and Paul Carberry was motionless as Alpha Ridge, a three-time winner already this season, went for home.
Carberry barely let out an inch of rein as the 8-13 favourite shot clear and bar an untidy jump at the third last, it was a near perfect performance as he won by 26 lengths without being asked a question.
A delighted Meade said: "Wow! That would keep you dreaming. This horse was awesome. He's a real laid-back horse that handles soft ground really well. He has a huge engine and is very clear winded.
"He's better on soft ground and I wouldn't like to see him on fast ground. He has no real pedigree worth talking about.
"His next race is likely to be the Barry And Sandra Kelly Memorial Novices' Hurdle in Navan. Then he'll be given a break until the spring."
