LEOPARDSTOWN REPORTAN EARLY taste of some Cheltenham betting fever came out of the blue at Leopardstown yesterday when the ex-French four-year-old River Liane won so impressively on his Irish debut he ended up being backed into favouritism for the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle.
Davy Russell was motionless as River Liane passed the post in the conditions hurdle, five and a half lengths clear of the useful Made In Taipan, and the winner's new trainer Tom Cooper couldn't hide his satisfaction at how the first stage of his festival plan had worked out. "He has 10.2 but the 4lb penalty means he will get into the Fred Winter all right. He's a real nice horse. I went to France to look at him and when I schooled him I was very impressed," said the Co Kerry-based trainer who got the horse around Christmas time after River Liane couldn't win in four starts in his native country.
"When he came to me he looked like a rat and he will be much better with a summer's grass under his belt," added Cooper, whose rodent reference didn't halt for a second the rush to get on River Liane in the last race on Day One of the festival.
Within minutes the horse was as low as 4 to 1 favourite for the Fred Winter from a general 33 to 1 and there was also the bonus of an indirect boost for Cooper's main festival hopes, Forpadydeplasterer, who is a 6 to 1 second favourite for the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle.
Asked if the pair have worked together, Cooper grinned: "I won't answer that! But Paddy only does just enough in his work anyway. He's in super form."
Tony Martin proved his powerful team are firing on all cylinders ahead of Cheltenham with a double kicked off by Save The Bacon who made all to beat the favourite for the maiden hurdle, Our Matti, by six lengths.
"We always thought there was a performance like that in him. We will look at Fairyhouse and Punchestown now, and go chasing next season," said Martin who doubled up with Northern Alliance in the handicap hurdle.
Robbie Colgan's mount almost threw victory away with a last flight mistake but fought back to head Splurge near the line.
Well Tutored has a number of options, ranging from the Irish Grand National to the Topham over the big Aintree fences after winning his first race in almost 16 months in the Mick Holly Handicap Chase.
David Casey guided the favourite to a snug defeat of Mattock Ranger and Arthur Moore said: "These were his ideal conditions, two miles five and nice ground, and although it's a long time since he won, he has run some good races in defeat."
Last year's Aintree National third Slim Pickings ran fifth and remains as low as 12 to 1 for Liverpool, while the fourth, Chelsea Harbour, was cut to 20 to 1 in some lists after a staying on effort from the back.
The last time Perce Rock was at Leopardstown his last fence fall put David Casey on the sidelines for weeks with a shoulder injury. However, he at least partly made it up to the jockey, who completed his own double in the novice chase, with a comfortable defeat of Lenrey.
"He's still in the Arkle but that's highly unlikely," said Fozzie Stack, representing his father Tommy. "Contrary to popular belief, the better ground today didn't inconvenience him and there's a two mile Grade Three at Fairyhouse over Easter that could suit him."
Willie Mullins is looking at both Fairyhouse and Punchestown for Shakervilz following a length defeat of Stewarts House in the opening maiden hurdle.
"That looked quite a hot maiden and in future he will need at least two and a half miles, if not more," the trainer said.
The flat bred Zarinava used her experience, and some flat speed, to land the bumper which was run at a funereal early pace. When they quickened, Jessica Harrington's filly had the most toe under Pauline Ryan to continue the stable's recent good form.
