Noel Meade's search for a first Cheltenham Festival winner has proved to be famously elusive but it doesn't take a great deal of imagination to picture Cardinal Hill changing all that after his ultra-impressive hurdling debut at Navan yesterday.
The dual bumper winner is now owned by J P McManus and he absolutely trotted up in the 28-runner Kingscourt Maiden, winning by seven eased down lengths and getting an 8 to 1 quote from Sean Graham for the Citreon Supreme Novices Hurdle next March.
The opposition wasn't at all bad with Shean Town in second and Meade, winning with the first horse he has trained for McManus, did nothing to curb anyone's enthusiasm.
"He's good isn't he," the local trainer grinned before adding: "He jumped brilliantly there and Paul (Carberry) was very impressed. I'm happy to keep him at two miles and it's possible he could run in the Royal Bond Hurdle at Fairyhouse."
The Rolling Stones' guitarist Ronnie Wood made one of his rare visits to the races yesterday but his odds-on favourite Have Merci was comprehensively beaten by Goldanzig.
The pair dominated the market for the Juvenile Hurdle but from the third last it was Goldanzig who was travelling much the better and his eventual 20-length victory earned him a 25 to 1 quote from Grahams for the Triumph Hurdle.
Wood's red and white colours appeared to be travelling adequately on Have Merci before the turn-in but apparently she couldn't handle the ground.
Goldanzig was bought out of Frances Crowley's yard after winning at Gowran last week and his new trainer Gerry Cromwell described the price as "reasonable".
It certainly looked like it yesterday and afterwards Co Meath-based Cromwell added: "I thought after he won at Fairyhouse that he would jump better on soft ground and it looked like it there."
Goldanzig was Ruby Walsh's 31st winner this term but a double from Carberry narrowed the gap to seven.
Cardinal Hill's success had been preceded by an even easier winner for Carberry when he literally trotted past the line in the handicap chase on his father's Native Status. The gelding, winning his eighth race, was clear from four out and Pokono Trail and Linden's Lotto.
Lord Huntingdon, set to retire from training at the end of the year, today faces a Jockey Club Disciplinary Committee grilling along with Daragh O'Donohoe over the running and riding of Silken Dalliance at Newbury on September 19th.
