KLAIRON DAVIS was touched off by the Charlie Swan-partnered Brockley Court in a pulsating finish to yesterday's Ballymore Eustace Handicap Chase. One might have expected last year's Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase winner to give the weight if he was to have any chance of winning a most competitive Queen Mother Champion Chase, but he tired in the last few strides having hit the fifth fence hard.
This was the first time in three runs that Klairon Davis completed the course and the race will surely have done much to restore his confidence. He had just taken up the running when thumping the fifth, and a similar error at Cheltenham could spell disaster. He was soon back in contention, however, and he and Brockley Court, who was receiving 20lb, cleared the last two fences stride for stride. Swan was not to be denied and he persuaded .his mount to get his head in front where it mattered.
Brockley Court has his sights set on the Festival's Grand Annual Chase - a race he was forced to miss last year due to a minor setback. Klairon Davis may have another race at Naas before Cheltenham.
Arthur Moore and Frank Woods had better fortune when Rifawan landed the odds with considerable ease in the Blessington Novice Hurdle. This fine, tall Aga Khanbred jumped a little sketchily on the far side of the track, but. warmed to his task and was only cantering as Macallister attempted to close to the last. The Moore-Woods partnership also combined to win the Kilcullen Novice Chase with Whale Of A Knight.
Successful with Manhattan Castle in last year's novice hurdle, Arthur Moore will certainly consider the Sun Alliance Hurdle for the promising Rifawan, but he will not be sent to Cheltenhnm if the ground is fast. The five-year-old has other options, at Fairyhouse in two week's time or in the Johnstown Hurdle at Naas. One to follow.
Willie Mullins thinks highly enough of Mr Nightingale to nominate him to Cheltenham's Citroen Supreme Novice Hurdle. While he got close to the last flight in the opening Brannockstown Maiden Hurdle and jumped awkwardly, Mr Nightingale had only to be pushed out by David Casey to dispose of Flip Your Lid by three lengths.
One would hardly rush madly to back the winner at Cheltenham, especially as he had blundered badly at the third last when finishing out of the frame behind The Subbie on his previous appearance over this course. But how many were on the stable's Tourist Attraction, 25 to 1 winner of last year's Supreme Novice Hurdle? Furthermore, Mr nightingale is a half-brother by Strong Gale to Night Nurse, arguably the greatest of all champion hurdlers.
Willie's father Paddy withdrew Noble Thyne from the Brannockstown Hurdle, for which he would have started a firm favourite. There is nothing wrong with the horse, but his handler is anxious to see just how god he is, and as he prefers racing lefthanded, there could not be a better opportunity than Sunday's Deloitte and Touche Novices Hurdle over two and a quarter miles at Leopardstown, where he will take on our leading novice That's My Man. Noble Thyne, an 11 lengths winner of a bumper at Leopardstown, is bound for the Sun Alliance Hurdle.
Paddy Mullins saddled Talina's Law to #in the Dunshane Maiden Hurdle. "The blinkers made all the difference to her as she only does what she has to," said the trainer.
The Willie Mullins-trnined Padashpan went within a short head of winning the novice chase, battling back under a fine ride by David Casey, but just failing to peg back Whale Of A Knight after the duo had cleared the last side by. side. Whale Of A Knight will next run in the Red Mills Trial Chase at Gowran Park.
Old Abbey jumped well to win the Landenstown Handicap Hurdle much as he liked from the top weight, Flawless Finish, while the Pat Flynn-trained Eagles Rest was another easy winner of the Rooske Flat Race.
