Golden Storm maintained his unbeaten record over fences when making good use of his weight allowance as a four-year-old in the EBF Novice Chase at Mallow yesterday.

The Frances Crowley-trained gelding settled the issue with a fine leap at the last to beat Oa Baldixe by 31/2 lengths, with 6 to 4 favourite Get It Done staying on a neck further back in third.

Crowley returns from her honeymoon in Dubai with reigning champion Flat jockey Pat Smullen this weekend, but her sister Angela commented afterwards: "He jumps brilliant and has always run well on soft ground. I would say Frances will freshen him up and then look for a novice around Christmas."

Noel Meade was full of praise for stable rider Paul Carberry after Fruit Defendu gained a hard-earned victory in the Mallow Rated Hurdle. The French import needed a strong drive from the last to gain a three-quarters of a length verdict over Our Bid.

"Paul is probably riding at his very best right now. This is the longest run free of injury he has had for a long time and he is fitter now than ever," said Meade.

Barrow Drive, formerly trained by Tony Mullins, justified strong support when switched to jumping by new handler Charles Byrnes in division one of the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle. The five-year-old was always up with the pace and stayed on well under Philip O'Brien from two out to beat Cadou Royal by four and a half lengths. Byrnes plans to bring him back here next month for a three-mile novice hurdle.

Keevers swept through on the run-in under Pat Crowley to beat That's The Story by a length and a half in the opening Cork Racecourse Handicap Hurdle, where eventual sixth Hobart Frisbey held every chance when sprawling badly on landing after the last.

"He seems to like Mallow and that's his third win here. He jumps well and will probably go chasing now," said his trainer John Kiely.