Sport

His Song impresses

His song was installed 5 to 1 favourite for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Sean Graham after an impressive display…

Mon Dec 28 1998 - 00:00

His song was installed 5 to 1 favourite for the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with Sean Graham after an impressive display in the Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase, the feature event at Leopardstown on Saturday.

The five-year-old jumped well under Shay Barry in this £40,000 Grade One race, cruising to the front two out to beat Native Estates by an easy eight lengths. Winning trainer Mouse Morris played down talk of the Cheltenham Festival and preferred to just nominate the Baileys Arkle Challenge Cup, also at the Foxrock venue, as his next target.

Knife Edge overcame trouble in running after the second last to take the Denny Juvenile Hurdle for Tom Rudd and Michael O'Brien. The American-bred gelding had to be snatched up when a gap on the rail closed approaching the home bend. However, Rudd's mount was soon back in the firing line and outstayed Golden Rule in the closing stages to eventually win a shade cosily by half a length.

"He jumps well, has a top-class pedigree and could be anything," said a delighted O'Brien afterwards. The Triumph Hurdle, for which he is quoted at 20 to 1, along with Golden Rule, is his main target this term.

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Barry Cash has made the most of his opportunities in the enforced absence of Conor O'Dwyer and he teamed up with Arthur Moore for a double with Native Upmanship and Darbela. Native Upmanship proved a handsome winner of the opening Waifos Maiden Hurdle, stretching clear of his toiling rivals from the home turn to score by 20 lengths. The Deloitte & Touche Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown in February was nominated as a possible next step for the five-year-old by Moore.

Cash earned praise from Moore for his riding of Darbela in the Move-Over-Butter Handicap Hurdle. The daughter of Doyoun was produced to head Mariners Reef early on the run-in for a five-and-a-half length victory.

"Barry gave her a beautiful ride, and has taken the chances well in Conor's absence," said Moore.

David Casey has enjoyed a purple patch in the past month and recorded a double through Colonial Sunset and Section Seven.