Jumping was the name of the game as Forget The Past made a successful reappearance in the Thurles Chase yesterday.
Michael O'Brien's runner was foot perfect throughout but Light On The Broom looked to have his measure until fluffing the final fence. That gave Andrew Lynch the chance to galvanise Forget The Past and the 7 to 4 joint favourite seized the opportunity to get the verdict by a head.
Our Ben, the other joint favourite, was third after making most of the running.
O'Brien said: "He put his head down and his jump at the last probably won it for him. He's a good Grade Two horse but probably not a Grade One. That's the sort of horse he is - two and a half to two six and probably not quite three miles.
"I don't know if we'll run him in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham. I'll have to go home and think about it. You can win plenty of prize-money with him if you keep him to the right races.
"He was third in the Gold Cup and that's probably as good as he is. He'll probably have an entry in the Grand National. We did think about it last year. We may gear his programme towards that and keep him away from Grade One races."
O'Brien had just shut up shop because his string was not 100 per cent. "We haven't been able to run any horses because they have been under the weather," he said.
"We haven't been able to put our finger on it. Their blood is fine and they are scoping fine. They just don't seem to be running as they should be. I plan to run some over the weekend as well and that should give us a better picture."
O'Brien also had news of In Compliance saying: "He pulled a muscle and will do his first bit of fast work on Saturday. Hopefully he will reappear in the John Durkan."
Rindoon was given a 25 to 1 quote for the Arkle from Cashmans after opening his account over fences in impressive fashion in the two-mile beginners chase.
The Dusty Sheehy-trained gelding made virtually all under Ruby Walsh, going clear after three out to beat Albanov by 16 lengths.
"He settled well out in front today. We'll have a crack at all the big ones now and he'll go next for the Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown on Sunday week," said Sheehy.
Optimus Prime justified good support in the beginners chase, although Paul Carberry's mount had luck on his side as leader Dreux fell three out and brought down Charlies First. The 2 to 1 favourite, who will be entered for the Drinmore Chase, struck the front at the next fence and drew clear to beat Bold Fortune by eight lengths.
The John Hassett-trained High Oscar landed a nice touch when backed from 10 to 1 down to 13 to 2 prior to a game length victory under Martin Ferris in the opportunity handicap chase.
With just two days to go Seb Sanders and Jamie Spencer are neck and neck on 187 in their jockeys' title race. After his success at the British Horseracing Authority's headquarters in London (who confirmed his victory on Black Rain at Newmarket last Friday), Spencer nosed one in front of Sanders at Musselburgh (Cha Cha Cha) yesterday. However. Sanders rode a double at Wolverhampton last night while Spencer replied with victory in the last.
