Report from Naas:LIAM BURKE'S faith in his star novice Thyne Again was vindicated in some style at Naas yesterday when the flashy chestnut earned a Cheltenham ticket with a hugely impressive 21-length victory.
A crucial festival proviso will be Thyne Again's requirement for ground with a dig in it but for Burke, yesterday's success in the Woodlands Park Nas Na Riogh Chase appeared to mean almost as much as any Cheltenham aspirations.
A lacklustre PJ Moriarty run behind J'y Vole two weeks previously had clearly left the Cork trainer intensely frustrated and it is safe to assume that his instructions to jockey Davy Russell yesterday included a request to lie rather closer to the pace than at Leopardstown.
Sure enough Thyne Again sat a lot nearer to J'y Vole and even though his odds-on rival didn't show a fraction of her Moriarty sparkle, and was found to be 'blowing hard' after fading to third, there was no denying the impression left by Thyne Again as he powered clear from the second last.
"If the ground is safe at Cheltenham he would probably go there for the Arkle. But there would have to be cut in it. I'm not going to have him leave his career behind him for just one day," insisted Burke.
Bookmaker reaction was to cut Thyne Again's Arkle odds to a general 14 to 1 and that is more along the lines of the potential Burke believes lies in the horse compared to what was seen at Leopardstown.
"I was disappointed the last day because he was a bit careless and lackadaisical. He missed the break again today but mostly jumped well and it was good to see," he added.
After returning to a happier reception in the winner's enclosure, Russell reported: "He's in the Arkle and is entitled to go. He was much more settled today, jumped great and is getting better with every run. The connections are delighted which is the main thing."
J'y Vole's odds-on eclipse was the sorest blow for favourite backers on a day when Coolcashin provided a 20 to 1 shock in the Paddy Power Johnstown Novice Hurdle in a very 'un-Bowe-like' display.
Bowe family stars such as Solerina and Limestone Lad were feted for making the running but Tom Doyle brought Coolcashin with a decisive late drive to wear down Raven's Run and Woodbine Willie.
"We've been making a fool of the horse. Up to now we were thinking he was one of those Bowe front runners," said his trainer Michael Bowe.
"In fact he's one of those Bowe hold-up horses!"
He added: "On paper it looked a crazy decision to run but he was giving me all the right vibes, his skin was good, and I told Tom we'd try something different. Tom said his biggest problem was pulling him up.
"I've absolutely no plans but I had been giving out to the handicapper for putting the horse on 114. I don't think I can say anything to him now."
Tom Mullins was out of luck in the bumper when the favourite Oscar Dan Dan managed only fifth to Gonebeyondrecall and afterwards the trainer also announced that his top bumper horse Time Electric won't run at Cheltenham.
"The owner (Paul Duffin) is not keen and wants to keep the horse for the Champion Bumper at Punchestown which is a more valuable race," Mullins said.
The irrepressible Oliver Brady has no such qualms and announced the Grand Annual as a festival target for Maralan who recorded back-to-back Grade Two wins with a fortuitous victory in the Newlands Chase.
Maralan profited from a last-fence fall by Clopf at Navan the previous Sunday and this time it was Schindlers Hunt's unseating of Roger Loughran at the last that kicked off some typically colourful celebrations by the Monaghan trainer.
"He's a stone better going left handed and that should put him in the Grand Annual alright," said Brady while bookmaker reaction was to slap 14 to 1 odds on Maralan's Grand Annual chances.
Edward O'Grady prepared Fen Game to land the two-mile handicap hurdle for his son-in-law, Jed Kelly's syndicate, while another classically-bred horse, Spitfire Sortie, took the opening maiden under Mick Darcy who later picked up a two-day whip ban for his Johnstown ride on Raven's Run.
John Carr plans to give the Champion Hurdler Sublimity a post-race workout at Leopardstown on Sunday and the yard proved they are in good form with a three-mile handicap hurdle win for Limestream.
Philip Carberry edged out his brother, Paul, on the runner-up Royal Spring by half a length.
