Arthur Moore and Tom Taaffe, who teamed up to win four Sweeps Hurdles, now the Ladbroke, during Taaffe's riding career, both saddled short-priced winners at Thurles yesterday.
Fadoudal Du Cochet justified evens favouritism in some style to score for Moore in the novice hurdle, and The Ghan's shade of odds on was totally justified when easily landing the WT O'Grady Memorial Hurdle.
The Ghan built on his promising debut behind Afarad at Leopardstown to beat Passing Danger by nine lengths under Robbie McNally, after dominating the contest from four hurdles out.
"He did what we expected him to do. This horse has a great attitude to the game, jumps well and acts on this heavy ground. We'll choose between Punchestown on January 23rd and Leopardstown on February 7th for his next race," said Taaffe, who was saddling his first winner for owner Frank Conroy.
Taaffe had major success in the Conroy colours during his own riding career on the likes of Weather The Storm and the ill-fated Soft Day.
Fadoudal Du Cochet is seen as a future chaser by Moore but will stick to hurdles for the rest of this season. He will be a force over the minor flights, too, judged by the way he quickly settled the issue after the last obstacle to beat Budalus by a couple of lengths.
"The handicapper has him pretty high in the ratings but he will have two or three more runs this season. He jumped very quick there and is something to look forward to over fences," said Moore.
The Limerick trainers McNamara are no relations, but they did have a winner in common yesterday.
Eric McNamara provided the 19-year-old claimer Ray Hogan with his first success since August 1997 when Rock Castle took the opening division of the opportunity handicap.
The ground may have been heavy but the horses seemed to go through it well, so well that Rock Castle was always travelling on the bridle and dominated the race after taking up the running with a circuit to go.
"Holding him up for the first half of the race made all the difference. Before he was running himself into the ground, but he was able to finish today. It probably wasn't the best race but it is nice to win it," said the Rathkeale-based trainer.
Kilmallock-based Andrew McNamara landed the second division with Kanturk Girl, who was having her first race for him. The ex-Jimmy Mangan mare was given an opportunistic ride up the inner by Mick Murphy, and despite hanging both ways up the straight, was always holding The Road To Moscow and Manndaliy.
The latter got up close home to take second after The Road To Moscow's rider, Jason Maguire, stopped riding before the finish. The stewards subsequently suspended Maguire for four race days.
Pat Flynn introduced Mysilverriverfeale to land the bumper by a length from King's Tipp, a performance that Flynn feels will be improved upon in the future. "I think he is good and he is on the shortlist for the Cheltenham bumper. He will prefer better ground," he said.
