The strongly supported 7/2 favourite Keepatem landed the E170,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown today, on a day when Moscow Flyer was an absentee from the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase due to a respiratory tract infection.
Keepatem, backed from 5/1, was providing his trainer Mouse Morris with his first win in the race while the win was continuing the excellent recent run of form from jockey Conor O'Dwyer.
Earlier in the day, Moscow Flyer's absence left the way for Central House to gamely make all under Paul Carberry to win the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase, in first time blinkers success for trainer Dessie Hughes.
Hughes later mentioned: "The first time blinkers sharpened him up but he would definitely prefer better ground." Adding: "I have no immediate plan but long-term, the Cathcart Chase at Cheltenham is his main target."
Hughes later completed a double when Oulart won the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle under Paddy Flood.
Trainer Tom Foley is another bidding for glory at Cheltenham next March and he appears to have a fair chance of adding to Danoli's Prestbury Park win following the victory of his French import Royal Paradise in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle.
Conor O'Dwyer's mount impressed many when seeing off the challenge of Leonardo De Vinci in the Grade 2 event. However, Foley mentioned that the winner may not run again before the Sun Alliance Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham.
He added: "I don't want to rush him because he will make an even better horse next season. Conor said the slow pace did not suit him so he correctly decided to make his own running in
front."
Earlier in the day, in-form Barry Geraghty combined with Mariah Rollins' trainer Pat Fahy to win the Paddy Power Maiden Hurdle with Macs Flamingo.
At Limerick, the seasonal reappearance of Monty's Pass was the main attraction, in the Guinness Christmas Festival Hurdle.
Although never appearing likely to win, the 2002 Grand National stayed on well for third behind Charlie Swan's One More Minute.
Afterwards, Monty's Pass's trainer Jimmy Mangan expressed his delight at the run before adding that his 11yo is on course for a
repeat Aintree win, next April.
