MERRY GALE came back to something like his old self with an exemplary display of jumping to win yesterday's McCain Handicap Chase by eight lengths from the 15lb-conceding KIairon Davis.
This was his first success since winning the MMI Stockbrokers Punchestown Chase 13 months ago but he underwent a tie-back operation not long after he was pulled up in the postponed King George VI Chase held at Sandown last January.
"He was great," said Richard, Dunwoody after dismounting from the gigantic chaser and certainly on his day there is not a better jumper in the country.
While he enjoys doing his own thing at the head of affairs, Merry Gale has learned to settle better and while he showed signs of a return to his best at Punchestown on his previous appearance - when he again jumped with all his old verve - this time he ran on stoutly rather than fading in the closing stages.
But he needed those outings at Clonmel, Naas and Punchestown. As trainer Jim Dreaper explained: "After a larynx operation a horse takes more and more getting fit. But while you would be ashamed of him at Naas he gets a bit better with each run."
Mark you, a fit Merry Gale should take care of Klairon Davis at a difference of 15lb. The Champion Chase winner jumped well enough but two miles and a quarter is probably a little beyond his best whereas Merry Gale gets three miles without a bother.
Punters will look forward to the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup here on February 2nd when Merry Gale takes on Imperial Call. The Cheltenham Gold Cup may not be on Merry Gale's agenda.
Istabraq had little to beat in the 1st Choice Novice Hurdle but that is not to take from another rattling, good performance from J P McManus's well-bred winner who, after a fine round of hurdling popped over the last well clear of his struggling rivals to win by five lengths.
"We have not being doing anything with him. He's getting heavier. We'll start working him and see what he's like. But he is getting better," said Aidan O'Brien who has not entered the novice in the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle but plans to run him in the Deloitte and Touche Novice Hurdle on Hennessy Gold Cup day.
After that we can look forward to Cheltenham and the Sun Alliance Hurdle. Istabraq credited his trainer with his 200th winner in Ireland this calendar year, 80 of which were on the Flat.
Following the successes of Grimes and Supreme Novice Hurdle bound Finnegan's Hollow on Thursday, J P McManus has so far enjoyed a memorable meeting - and he also landed the Arboretum Garden Centre Maiden Hurdle with Bukhari and the bumper with Shannon Gale who beat Strontium in a marvellous finish to complete a double for Bukhari's trainer Christy Roche.
Indeed, McManus went close to winning the £80,000 Paddy Power Handicap Chase with Wylde Hide who failed by a length to give 10lb to the nicely handicapped New Co after a dour battle from before the last fence. McManus's Time For A Run took third place, seven lengths adrift.
Improving to the second last, the Mouse Morris-trained New Co pressed the always prominent Wylde Hide as the duo turned for home and Conor O'Dwyer managed to get that little bit extra in the last few strides.
There are no firm plans for the winner that was his race - but Wylde Hide will be trained for the Aintree Grand National in which he ran so well until interfered with and unseating his rider at the Canal Turn.
O'Dwyer was in top form. He landed the Cheltenham Gold Card Handicap Hurdle on the John Mulhern-trained Miltonfield and completed a well-executed treble on Bukhari in the Arboretum Garden Centre Maiden Hurdle.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained Fern Fields was a surprise winner of the opening Tote Account Hurdle from Cento. However, 21-year-old rider Ian Browne who had opened his account over hurdles was suspended for 10 days for wearing a faulty back protector.
