Paul Carberry stole the show in front of a huge crowd at Naas yesterday when partnering a 109 to 1 treble to edge ominously closer to pace-setter Barry Geraghty at the top of the jockeys' championship. The Meath rider teamed up twice with trainer Noel Meade aboard Eternal Night and Roses Of Picardy, while he also scored aboard Thyestes Chase contender Glin Castle.
Carberry was hard at work aboard Glin Castle before the straight in the Millennium Handicap Chase (2m 3f) but Andrew McNamara's proven stayer kept on well to deny More Than A Stroll by half a length. "He really needs three miles, and the Thyestes Chase at Gowran has been the plan all along," said a delighted McNamara. "He will be entered for the Leopardstown Chase on Saturday, and I will make a decision on that race later in the week."
Eternal Night, rated 89 on the Flat, made a winning debut over timber in the opening Hamilton Young Lawlor Ellison Maiden Hurdle. The son of Night Shift rallied well to challenge between horses on the run-in to gain a short-head verdict over favourite Creux Noir, with French Style weakening in the closing stages a further length back in third.
Roses Of Picardy made it two wins from as many starts over fences when outstaying Gregorio in the straight to land the Craddoxtown EBF Novice Chase, and put Carberry onto the 36-winner mark for the season (11 behind Geraghty). "He wants further, and Paul thinks that he is probably better going righthanded," said Meade.
The Navan handler completed a treble of his own in the bumper when newcomer Harbour Pilot proved too strong inside the final furlong for heavily-backed favourite Silver Steel.
Champagne Native earned a 20 to 1 quote for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham after holding No Discount by a head in the featured Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle. Winning rider Jason Titley lost an iron when the six-year-old stumbled slightly after the final flight.
"He handles soft ground well but it was a bit tacky today," said winning trainer Tom Taaffe. "He will run next in either a two and a half mile novice at Doncaster on January 29th or go to Leopardstown on February 6th. We can decide about Cheltenham plans after that."
David O'Leary was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected broken leg after his mount Fleet Gold was brought down at the first in the Gowla Power-Pak Maiden Hurdle.
Tommy Carberry yesterday nominated a race at Fairyhouse a week next Sunday for the return to action of Grand National winner Bobbyjo.
The trainer is very happy with the condition of his 10-year-old, who has not raced since finishing sixth in the Whitbread Gold Cup at Sandown last April.
But he has virtually ruled out a return to Britain before Aintree for the gelding, who landed a first Irish victory in the Grand National for 24 years when beating Blue Charm by 10 lengths last year.
"Hopefully Bobbyjo will run at Fairyhouse on the 16th," Carberry said. "There is a two-and-half-a-mile hurdle race which should suit him.
"He is in very good form and I always said he wouldn't run until January.
"Hopefully after that we will find a chase for him. But I think it is very doubtful he would go to Britain as there are enough races over here."
Carberry had previously hinted at a tilt at a race like Haydock Park's De Vere Group Chase for Bobbyjo, who warmed up for Aintree with a win over hurdles at Down Royal last March.
