THE improving Kalona won his fourth successive chase at Fairyhouse yesterday. Michael Cunningham's charge jumped meticulously to ward off all challengers and win the Eider Handicap Chase by two lengths from the consistent La Greine.
Kalona has been raised some 26lb in the handicap since before winning at Navan a month ago. Ridden by Frank Woods he led from Ballyback and started to draw clear from the fourth last fence.
Kalona remains on target for the marathon National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He showed no signs of weakening at the end of yesterday's extended there miles and jumps with such precision that the Festival's four miles should hold no terrors for him.
Stable companion Derrymoyle has come out well from the Ladbroke Hurdle and will run in a three mile conditions hurdle at Navan on February 10th following which Cunningham will consult Mark Dwyer as to whether to aim the horse for the Champion Hurdle or the Stayers Hurdle.
Next Thursday's Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park is the objective of another improving jumper, the Enda Bolger trained Fifty seven channels, who, having, joined its A Cracker at the last fence, drew away to win the Widgeon Handicap Chase in the hands of Charlie Swan and complete his hat trick.
Absent since June the David Hanley trained, Brendan Sheridan partnered Native Joy rallied to regain the lead close home from Cavalier D'Or and capture the Goosander Maiden Hurdle by three parts of a length. After Cult Hero had made ground to finish third his Curragh trainer Declan Carroll was fined £600, amateur Jarlath Connolly suspended for 21 days and the horse barred for 30 days, the stewards found that the horse was not allowed to run on his merits. The trainer is considering an appeal.
The Outback Way looked home and dried in the closing stages of the Teal Handicap but failed to cope with the flying challenge of the Shane Broderick partnered. top weight Storm Front, who previously contested a chase at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
A nasty stumble after landing in the lead over the second last possibly cost Cowanstown Lady the Tattersalls Ireland Mares Novice Chase in which the George Stewart trained Trench Hill Lass capitalised to win by two lengths.
. Simon Dow's Wakeel, ridden by Eric Saint Martin, picked up the equivalent of £3,623 for finishing second in the Prix Juanles Pins over a mile at Cagnessur Mer yesterday afternoon. The British raider was prominent throughout but was unable to peg back the well backed Roi Ho, the mount of Philippe Dumortier, with the 11 to 10 chance holding on by a neck at the line. Earlier, Dow's Asking For Kings (Saint Martin) began his Riviera campaign with an unplaced effort behind Megaron in the Prix du Cannet over an extended mile.
