Racing:Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was one of over 14,000 racegoers left disappointed by the abandonment of racing at Leopardstown as fog unexpectedly descended onto the track moments before the Lexus Chase was due to take place.
Dr Whizz claimed a cosy success for owner JP McManus before conditions deteriorated in the O’Dwyer’s Stillorgan Orchard Maiden Hurdle.
Puyol looked set to finally break his duck as the 5-4 favourite jumped the final flight in front, only for Dr Whizz to come with a late thrust and follow up his Cork bumper win by three-quarters of a length.
The winner, who provided Davy Russell with his 50th winner of the campaign, was allowed to start at a generous 7-1, and trainer Tom Mullins commented: “He missed his final piece of work due to the frost which may explain why he was that price.
“I have always thought a lot of him and he will make a lovely chaser in time. He will spend the rest of this season over hurdles and I’ll talk to JP about where we go next.”
British-based Jason Maguire enjoyed a rare victory at the Foxrock venue as he successfully made all aboard Mouse Morris’ Baily Rock in the Mongey Communications Novice Handicap Hurdle.
Maguire has only had four rides in South Dublin in the last four years but certainly knew his way home as Morris’ 14-1 chance lugged top-weight across the line to collect by two lengths.
Morris said: “It was a good performance. He loved the ground and he does jump. I thought he had a lot of weight for what he has achieved but perhaps I was wrong after that!”
Pandorama then came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Knight Frank Novice Chase. Noel Meade’s charge was sent off the 11-8 favourite to supplement his victory in the Drinmore Novice Chase and was travelling strongly in the hands of Davy Condon.
The challengers were queuing up turning for home, with the patiently-ridden Weapon’s Amnesty emerging as the biggest threat after the final fence.
The two of them settled down to fight it out and it was Pandorama who saw it out best to score by a short head, giving Meade and Condon their third Grade One triumph in as many days.
Powerstation recorded his first victory in well over a year in the Grade Two woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle under an excellent ride from Andrew McNamara.
The 9-1 chance had become a frustrating individual to follow in recent races but found plenty for pressure on this occasion and took up the running jumping the final flight.
He soon put the race to bed and had enough in hand to score by a length and three-quarters from Oscar Dan Dan.
The strong-travelling Noble Prince was third, while 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition ran a fine fourth.