FAIRYHOUSE (28 Mar 2005)

Soft

5:05 Stanley Macadam Novice Chase (5yo+)

[off 5:05] £11,080.85, £3,251.06, £1,548.94, £527.66 2m1f

Comments In Running OR TS RPR

1 Strike Back Mrs John Harrington 7 11-12 R M Power 3/1 — —

2 2½ Livingstonebramble W P Mullins 9 11-12 R Walsh 7/1 115 — —

3 3 Ned Kelly E J O´Grady 9 11-12 D N Russell 7/4F — —

4 25 Old Flame C F Swan 6 11-12 D J Casey 7/1 119 — —

5 20 Kahuna E Sheehy 8 11-5 B J Geraghty 3/1 — —

6 Tena Tena J R H Fowler 8 11-5 R Geraghty 66/1 — —

6 ran TIME 4m 24.30s (slow by 12.30s) TOTAL SP 112%

1st OWNER: Commonstown Racing Syndicate BRED: Patrick O'Leary TRAINER: Mrs John Harrington

2nd OWNER: Favourites Racing Syndicate

3rd OWNER: Mrs John Magnier

TOTE WIN £4.00 PL £1.90, £3.50; Ex £53.40; CSF £22.84

ANALYSIS: Having scoped wrong the week before the Festival forcing him to miss the Arkle, STRIKE BACK gained ample compensation when taking it up four out and staying on under an inspired ride. The winner has got his act together with his jumping, a factor that proved a vital ingredient for his second success over fences having fallen as many times also. He is expected to run next in the Grade 1 novice chase at Punchestown.

Livingstonebramble, a previous chase winner over two-and-a-half-miles at Wexfordon soft last November, had every chance if good enough running away from the second last, but the winner kept pulling out more when it mattered over this shorter trip. The runner-up looked in need of further.

Ned Kelly was settled in mid-division,but was clearly struggling to close the gap when the race really developed rounding the home turn. The former top-class hurdler, who was brought back following serious injury picked up a couple of years ago, hails from a yard who has not been enjoying a good run of late. He was reported to have lost a shoe in running when down the field behind Contraband in the Arkle but he was outclassed here.

Old Flame, third behind Cheltenham disappointment War Of Attrition at Naas, set off in front and jumped well, but once the winner took over he was soon struggling in his bid to win for the second time over fences.

Kahuna pulled hard in the early stages and made a slight mistake five out when giving chase. His rider accepted the situation when he was making no inroads on the leader after turning for home and eased his mount down.