Gowran Park Report: The 52nd running of the Goulding Thyestes Handicap Chase appeared a wide-open affair beforehand, and just a short-head separated the principals at the end of a strongly-run three miles as Numbersixvalverde gained a last-gasp success.
Curragh trainer Martin Brassil recorded his biggest win since taking out a licence 10 years ago, and 19-year-old amateur star Niall "Slippers" Madden added to his growing reputation as the nine-year-old gelding got up for a thrilling victory.
Kymandjen attempted to make all under John Cullen, and was still in front approaching the three fences in the straight as Madden worked hard in fifth place to keep his mount in touch. But his persistence paid dividends as Brassil's charge dug deep on the run-in to lead virtually in the final stride.
The flattering 4 to 1 favourite Bizet could find no extra from the last to finish three lengths adrift in third.
"They went a good gallop, and he kept battling and finding more for me," said a delighted Madden.
Brassil, who has 12 in training, plans to aim the gelding at the final of the EBF Novice Chase Series at Navan on March 5th, while the Irish Grand National is also a possibility.
"He wants an ease in the ground, and is a horse that needs plenty of individual attention. He works much better on his own."
Surprisingly, 14 of the 18 runners completed the course, although a number of riders were injured. Alan Crowe broke a collar-bone when unseated from Calladine at halfway, while Davy Russell was stood down for the day with a bruised arm.
Barry Geraghty dominated the remainder of the card with a 15 to 1 treble, highlighted by Emotional Moment repeating his runaway success at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting with another facile victory in the Grade Three Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle. The Tom Taaffe-trained gelding made all, and eased clear after four out to beat Homer Wells by 25 lengths, with the very disappointing Rosaker never getting in a blow the same distance back in third.
"He's just getting better and - I know it sounds strange after three miles on heavy ground, but he hasn't had a race. He'll go now for the Boyne Hurdle at Navan, and then to Cheltenham for the World Hurdle," said Taaffe.
"He's probably improved quite a bit without us realising it, and he's really got his confidence back after a couple of falls over fences last season."
Geraghty was earlier on the mark when Dalton justified odds-on support in the Dinn Ri-sponsored four-year-old maiden hurdle, although his jumping left a lot to be desired. Edward O'Grady's charge made a number of mistakes, and survived a bad blunder at the last to beat Strides Of Fire by three-quarters of a length.
"I'm disappointed with his jumping but they went too slow for him early on. Hopefully he will get better and he'll be entered for the Triumph Hurdle," said O'Grady.
Geraghty picked up a chance ride in the Ashkalani At Coolamurry Stud Carey's Cottage Cup Handicap Chase, deputising for the sidelined Davy Russell, and the 4 to 1 favourite Lord Alphieross led five out and galloped on strongly to beat Jordans Lad by 10 lengths.
Jessica Harrington saddled a 1-2 in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase, but it was not the result that most punters envisaged as Carrigeen Victor turned over the 5 to 2 favourite Pay It Forward. The latter pecked at a number of fences in the straight as Robert Power's mount kept on well to score by 10 lengths.
Loughanelteen benefited from a recent outing in the Pierse Hurdle where he "blew up after three out" when landing the Melville Developers Handicap Hurdle.
