RACING: Paul Carberry was the jockey in form when he completed a double at Thurles yesterday on Poulakerry (4 to 5) and Shady Lad (7 to 1).
Poulakerry, a bumper winner at Tralee during the summer, ran out a narrow winner of the first division of the Killough INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle with Carberry having to be at his strongest to get the Noel Meade-trained favourite home by a head from outsider Julies Boy.
However, Star Clipper, the Meade runner in the Horse And Jockey Hotel Hurdle, was a well-supported 4 to 9 favourite but failed to recover from a terrible mistake at the fourth hurdle and could only finish third to Brave Thought and Cregg House.
Adrian Lane, who rode Brave Thought, was suspended for a single day for careless riding after the winner drifted badly left in the closing stages and slightly hampered Cregg House in the process.
Favourite backers were again dealt a cruel pre-Christmas blow when Irish Tzar failed to figure at any stage in the second division of the maiden hurdle before being pulled at the second last flight by Norman Williamson.
Rupununi was another fancied runner to perform below expectations as the locally-trained Milford Rose outbattled Larkhill Jo from the last to win by half a length for jockey Martin Mooney.
The Tony Martin-trained Bizet returned from a 42-day suspension to win the Moycarkey Handicap Hurdle.
Martin found himself in hot water with the stewards at Down Royal last month where he was fined €1,000 and banned for 21 days when he rode the gelding to finish fourth behind Mister Felix.
Bizet, backed from 7 to 4 to evens favourite, never came off the bridle as he won by three and a half lengths from Star Accord under Ruby Walsh.
Rattothetattat, who had run well over hurdles at the course last Wednesday, scored his first success when winning the Gift Horse Gallery Horse and Jockey Hotel Handicap Chase.
John Joe Walsh's six-year-old took advantage of a final fence error by Jamica Plane to lead early on the run-in and was ridden out by Kieran Gaule to win by two and a half lengths.
Philip Carberry enjoyed a welcome change of luck when he partnered 11 to 4 favourite Future Strike to an easy two-length sucess in the Holy Cross Novice Hurdle.
His brother, Paul, added to his earlier success when landing the Molony Cup Handicap Chase on Enda Bolger's Shady Lad.
On Saturday Barry Geraghty, fresh from his success on Native Scout at Uttoxeter on Friday, was back in the winner's enclosure at Navan
Geraghty rode a treble at the course on the previous Sunday and he enjoyed a comfortable win on the Jessica Harrington-trained Jeff De Chalamont in the INH Maiden Hurdle, the well supported 3 to 1 chance winning in fine style from the staying-on Commanche Course.
Racegoers were treated to a thrilling finish to the opening Carol Novice Hurdle with favourite Scarthy Lad just getting the better of his market rival Khetaam.
Khetaam looked certain to score when going to the front early on the run-in, but Scarthy Lad responded well to Conor O'Dwyer's urgings to win by a head.
O'Dwyer completed a double when partnering Eskimo Jack to win the Santa Claus Handicap Chase for trainer Arthur Moore.
The 9 to 4 favourite led approaching the final fence and only had to be pushed out to beat Gregorio on his first run in a handicap.
Huntingdon's meeting on St Stephen's Day is under threat after heavy rain has left parts of the home straight flooded.
