Champion jockey Paul Carberry enjoyed a big-race success as Central House landed the featured Denny Gold Medal Novice Chase at Leopardstown today.
In a race in which only four of the eight starters survived, Central House was virtually handed the prize when the leader Kicking King came to grief at the second-last when still holding a useful advantage.
Central House had jumped brilliantly when opening his account over fences at Fairyhouse, and once more the six-year-old turned in an impeccable display as he justified 9-4 favouritism, to the delight of his Curragh trainer Dessie Hughes.
"This horse is a natural athlete and Paul says he would have picked off Kicking King had that horse stood up because there was plenty left in the tank with our fellow," said Hughes.
Central House, backed from 3-1, will attempt to complete his hat-trick back at the Dublin track next month in the Arkle Cup according to Hughes, who reported a couple of his horses to be coughing. The anticipated favourite Imazulutoo was an absentee earlier in the session from the Denny Juvenile Hurdle because of a respiratory tract infection.
The enforced absence of Jessica Harrington's top weight saw Al Eile made the 7-2 favourite to complete a three-timer, but the Cheltenham winner could not cope with Top Strategy in the closing stages of a rough race.
Bought out of the Dermot Weld stable to join the Ted Walsh yard for jumping, Top Strategy showed plenty of courage for young Gary Hutchinson to overcome trouble in running and romp away for a decisive victory.
"It got tight turning for home, but my horse picked up really well when I switched him and he seemed to love this soft ground," said Hutchinson.
After heavy rain overnight, the going was soft for the first of the four days' racing at the course. Top Strategy will return to Leopardstown next month for the Spring Hurdle according to trainer Walsh, who was celebrating his runner's initial win as a jumper soon after his son Ruby had triumphed at Kempton on Strong Flow.
The training honours of the day went to Tony Mullins. who saddled a treble and helped David Casey to a double in the process courtesy of wins from McGruders Cross and Alphazar. McGruders Cross jumped far better than when beaten at Thurles when opening his account over timber in the Denny Waifos Maiden Hurdle and Alphazar defied top weight in the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Handicap Chase.
In between Mullins had also saddled Piercing Sun to take the Kerry Spring Maiden Hurdle after a prolonged duel with the 2-1 favourite Cane Brake.
Claiming rider Pat Murphy, who had been unlucky to be beaten on Piercing Sun at Thurles, was not to be denied here as he came to the rescue of the bookmakers when his mount prevailed by a length over the market leader.