IT appears that we might have some serious contenders for the Triumph Hurdle in March. Shaunies Lady certainly staked her claims with a convincing seven length success in yesterday's Killinan Hurdle on very testing ground at Thurles, and that followed her 10 length win in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has some real talent among his four year old hurdlers and there may not be much to choose between yesterday's winner, Theatreworld, and Magical Lady. The latter last won by six lengths at Punchestown in late November and prior to that won by 15 lengths at Galway.

According to Charlie Swan there is much similarity between the two mares but if he was asked to ride any of trio he would find it very difficult to choose - likewise Aidan O'Brien, who intends to run Magical Lady at Leopardstown on Sunday, January 21st.

Handicapper Noel O'Brien said he would rate Shaunies Lady and Magical Lady among the four year old hurdlers along with the improving Elas Image - who defeated Theatreworld in the Dennys Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown - and the Dermot Weld trained Trade Dispute who won at Roscommon, Tralee and Listowel.

Apart from one mistake, Shaunies Lady jumped well and appeared to relish her task once Swan had asked the question before rising to the second last which she bounded over. Lenni Lenape gave chase but the winner had stretched into a five length lead on facing the last and was by then beyond recall.

Charlie Swan appears to be in near invincible form. The multiple champion completed a double on Ros Castle in the Cashel Hurdle, his fifth winner in two racing days. The Tony Mullins trained winner hit the last hard but battled on to beat Phardanaire by a length. According to Swan the ground was too heavy for the winner.

Any one of three horses might have won the Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase as The Real Article, Monalee River and long time leader Love And Porter rose to the last fence. Monalee River landed marginally ahead of The Real Article on the stands side but Love and Porter, seemingly the first beaten rallied on the far side to heat the odds on Monalee River by a length.

Arthur Moore, who has had his [ups and downs this season, was very unlucky not to have landed the Irish National Hunt Novice Hurdle with Kilspindie. The Frank Woods partnered horse had only to jump the last to win as he liked and while clearing the obstacle perfectly, he stumbled on a patch of bad ground a stride or two after landing and sprawled onto his knees. This left Scenic Route to win by four lengths.

Woods, who rode two winners on Wednesday, seemed set for compensation after Castalino had jumped the last two in front of course winner Another Grouse in the Molony Cup. However, the latter gained the upperhand on the run in and held by a neck the renewed challenge of Castalino.

Kentucky Baby and Over The Jordan had the finish of the opportunity handicap hurdle to themselves. The Tom Taaffe trained Kentucky Baby, who grinned a narrow advantage on landing over the last, crossed for the rails in the closing stages and appearing to cause Over The Jordan to switch but the winner was travelling the better and clearly won on merit.