Racing: Noel Meade saddled his 100th winner in 2004 as Paul Carberry completed a double - initiated by the Leonard Whitmore-trained Wishwillow Lord - on the well-backed Guantama Bay in the three miles Clashwilliam Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park yesterday.
The 6 to 4 favourite was travelling ominously well at the second last and had a length to spare over chief market rival Southern Vic as the pair pulled 20 lengths clear of the remainder.
"He stays well and may be better going left-handed. We'll probably find something around Christmas for him over a trip," said Navan trainer Meade, who also reached the century landmark two years ago.
Tony McCoy was out of luck on a rare visit to the venue, partnering two short-priced favourites for JP McManus. McCoy was expected to score on Adarma, the 2 to 7 favourite in the featured Tattersalls Ireland EBF Mares Novice Chase, as the Christy Roche-trained mare bided to follow up an easy victory at Cork last Sunday. However, Another Dollar, prevented from running in that Cork race due to passport problems, led from halfway under Barry Geraghty and drew clear from the hot favourite after three out to score by four lengths.
"I thought that two miles today might be a bit short for her but I suppose the soft ground made it more of a test. We will try to get her a bit of black type," said trainer Jessica Harrington.
McCoy was also fancied to take the two-mile novice hurdle aboard New Field. However, the 11 to 10 market leader was unable to make any impression in the straight as the front-running Wishwillow Lord stayed on strongly for Carberry to beat Haggle Twins by three and a half lengths. New Field blundered at the last and finished a further two lengths back in third.
"They need to go a good gallop for him to settle in behind, so we decided to make the running today. Two and a half miles shouldn't be a problem for him, and I think he'd like better ground," said trainer Whitmore.
The Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen's Day is the target for Thecaulofesker after Frank Ennis' charge recorded a facile win in the three-year-old hurdle. Denis O'Regan sent the gelding into a clear lead from flagfall, and he maintained the gallop in the straight to beat Lucky Spirit by 15 lengths.
O'Regan also adopted front-running tactics on top-weight Burnt Out in the handicap hurdle, with Al O'Connell's charge stretching clear on the run-in to beat Chicago Vic by 12 lengths.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary was on hand to lead in his Economy Drive after the gelding registered a convincing win in the two and a quarter miles maiden hurdle. Davy Russell produced the Old Vic gelding to lead at the final flight, and he was driven out on the run-in to beat Room To Room Suite by six lengths. "He jarred himself badly after winning a point-to-point and was off for 18 months. He needed the run at Cork last month, and should improve from this again," said trainer Pat Doyle.
Timmy Murphy's appeal against a seven-day ban picked up at Plumpton on Monday will not be heard today, officials at the Jockey Club confirmed yesterday. The appeal will probably be held next week.
Marcel had his seven-race winning streak brought to a rather disappointing end at Haydock nearly two weeks ago, but he should be given another chance at Windsor today. Martin Pipe's French recruit has impressed many a good judge with some quick and accurate jumping displays this season. The four-year-old won a few races around the minor tracks before heading to Cheltenham, where he earned himself quotes for the Festival by winning a Grade Two in good style. He duly followed up at Newbury, but his run was brought to an abrupt end when he had to give 4lb away to Howard Johnson's Astronomic at Haydock.
