The sheen on the outstanding Cheltenham prospect Florida Pearl now appears even more glossy after Delphi Lodge ignited Tom Taaffe's first double as a trainer when winning the Kilcullen Novice Chase at Naas on Saturday.
Delphi Lodge was 20 lengths off Florida Pearl at Leopardstown over Christmas but found the opposition much easier to cope with this time and went clear of the favourite, Liver Bird, on the run-in.
The runner-up had every chance, even though his jockey, John Shortt, lost his whip six fences from the finish. Shortt promptly drove Liver Bird up to join his stable companion Sarshill Lad and Willie Slattery on the turn in to the straight, where the two riders brought to mind memories of Lester Piggott and Alain Lequeux in the 1970s.
Shortt took Slattery's whip, an action Slattery later explained to the stewards that he did not object to as Sarshill Lad was weakening. Shortt accepted responsibility for the incident and as such an occurrence is not covered by official rules and regulations, the stewards cautioned Shortt concerning his "responsibilities as a professional rider in future".
All of which mattered little to Straffan-based Taaffe, who completed his double with Pinkpinkfizz in the Dunshane Handicap Chase. Delphi Lodge, however, has ambitious targets, including being entered for Cheltenham's Arkle Trophy, but Taaffe was well aware of what Saturday's performance meant for the form of Florida Pearl.
"Delphi Lodge was as good today as he was at Leopardstown, and I hope Florida Pearl stays right as he looks a serious horse. Hopefully, he'll give us all something to cheer about at Cheltenham," Taaffe said.
At most stages of the Blessington Novice Hurdle, it looked as if Taaffe would end up saddling three winners, as Verrazano Bridge looked to be travelling best of all when the hot favourite, Moondigua, weakened dramatically after the third last.
However, the test of stamina ended up favouring Good Lad, on whom Garrett Cotter was seen at his most persistent. Moondigua was eventually pulled up by Charlie Swan before the last and was found to be distressed and clinically abnormal.
It had been a peculiarly barren 1998 for the eight-times champion jockey, but he got his first winner of the year when Pancho's Tango jumped characteristically well to land the odds from Blaze Of Honour in the Ballymore Eustace Handicap Chase.
"He's a gallant old boy. I can't explain his last run. Maybe it was too far, but there was no Boss Doyle in this race," said trainer Fergie Sutherland, who trains Pancho's Tango for German owner Hans Theis, who is based in Skibbereen.
Rhode, Co. Offaly, based Stephen Cox scored his fourth success since getting his trainers licence in June, when Rupestrian showed a lot of resolution to hold off the favourite, Kilspindie, in the Landenstown Handicap.
