Fairyhouse and Cheltenham reports:Davy Russell, currently leading the jumps jockeys' championship, made the perfect start to the New Year with a treble on Big Zeb, Merchent Paddy and Fond Of A Drop at Fairyhouse yesterday.
The Colm Murphy-trained Big Zeb had fallen at the first on his chasing debut at Leopardstown on Saturday, but he was foot perfect when easily landing the 2m 6f beginners chase by 12 lengths.
"Davy rode Big Zeb at Leopardstown and he came down to school him yesterday. We were very disappointed when he fell on Saturday and I'm just relieved that he has won. He's still a big baby and we will take things gradually with him," said Murphy.
Russell got Merchent Paddy home by a head from Gusda in the 2m 6f First Crack Handicap Hurdle and trainer Charles Byrnes was delighted with the win as the horse is owned by his brother, Patrick, who rides the horse in his work at home.
"Today's race is about the horse's level and we'll keep tipping away with him. There's no point aiming too high," said Byrnes.
Fond Of A Drop set up Russell's treble when taking the 2m New Year Maiden Hurdle for trainer Dessie Hughes.
Russell just missed out on a four-timer when his mount, De La Rue, was foiled by a short head by Moskova in the 2m Bambury handicap Hurdle.
Noel Meade ended a frustrating spell by his high standards when Well Run held on for a head win under Paul Carberry in the Bambury Handicap Chase over 3m 1f.
Martin Mooney, still sporting a badly bruised leg following a fall at Leopardstown, had an eight-length win on Good Fella, trained by his father, Paddy, in the 2m 4f Ballyhack Maiden Hurdle.
Drive On Regardless took the bumper for Willie Mullins, winning by five and a half lengths under the trainer's son, Patrick.
Meanwhile, Blazing Bailey rocketed back into the Ladbrokes World Hurdle picture by turning the Steel Plate And Sections Hurdle into a one-sided affair at Cheltenham's New Year meeting yesterday.
Alan King's charge has displayed a trait of improving from race to race as the season goes on, and this represented a further step up on his latest creditable fourth behind Inglis Drever at Newbury.
Robert Thornton played his cards in the home straight, at which point Black Jack Ketchum had been pulled up, while Afsoun was under pressure and Tony McCoy was finding it hard work getting Wichita Lineman close enough to challenge.
Landing running over the last, Blazing Bailey (11 to 2) skipped eight lengths clear of the latter, with long-time leader Gaspara another length behind.
King was not surprised by the result and said: "He wasn't ready for the Long Walk but he was ready for a run today. There was the question of whether he'd be sharp enough for two and a half miles, but I was delighted with the way he stayed on.
"I'd been disappointed with his first run, but I knew he was a lot better today. He'll come back here for the Cleeve Hurdle at the end of the month, then it will be the World Hurdle at the festival."
Ladbrokes cut Blazing Bailey to 6 to 1 from 14s for the stayers' championship, while Paddy Power, VC Bet and Stan James go 6 to 1 from 12s. Blue Square offer a standout 7 to 1 (from 14s).
Jonjo O'Neill was satisfied with Wichita Lineman's run but perplexed by that of Black Jack Ketchum. O'Neill said: "Wichita is lazy and is getting worse, but he ran well and we might bring him back for the Cleeve.
"Black Jack seems to have lost his way totally and there is obviously something wrong with him."
King had earlier recorded the 500th success of his relatively brief training career when 4 to 1 chance Oh Crick hit the mark in the Club 16-24 Annual Big Bash "National Hunt" Novices' Handicap Hurdle.
McCoy was another to reach a milestone as he rode his 150th Cheltenham winner when galvanising 10 to 1 shot Hills Of Aran to inflict a three-length defeat on Hennessy in the Unicoin Homes Handicap Hurdle.
Gold Cup hope Star De Mohaison remains a general 20 to 1 chance for the blue riband despite finishing a distant third under Ruby Walsh. His trainer, Paul Nicholls, is leaning towards a run in the Hennessy at Leopardstown.
Lead On earned an introductory quote of 20 to 1 for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase with Stan James after getting the better of Predateur by two lengths in the Novices' Chase.
