Perfect start for Palomar
Palomar was given a quote of 33-1 by Cashmans for the Arkle after making a winning debut over fences at Kelso.
The smart handicap hurdler, owned by Sir Robert Ogden, got off the mark over the bigger obstacles in promising fashion.
Held up at the back by Davy Condon in the early stages of the John Merry Beginners’ Chase, the six-year-old was in touch when he made a mistake at the fourth-last.
However he was soon in contention and was sent about his business before the last.
Leading on the long run to the line, Palomar was too strong for the odds-on favourite Naiad Du Misselot and won by three and a quarter lengths.
“That was grand. In general he jumped quite well. He travelled well as usual and won nicely,” said trainer Nicky Richards.
“Davy said he would probably improve for the race and everything’s fine.
“I’ll have a word with Sir Robert’s racing manager and I would imagine we’ll try and get a bit of experience into him in the north before we get too ambitious.”
Signalman was an appropriate and emotional winner of the Louis Coppola Novices’ Hurdle.
The winner is owned by Margaret Coppola, whose husband Dennis sponsored the race in memory of his late father.
“It’s important he won because the owner’s husband sponsored the race,” said trainer Peter Monteith.
“His father died and they wanted a race for him and it was ideal that Signalman won it.
“It’s worked out very well.
“He’s a lovely horse who might go on a bit.”
The 11-8 favourite was never far off the pace and led at the final flight before going on to score by three and a half lengths from Sirkeel.
Signalman was the first leg of 19-1-plus double for Monteith – and a 541/2-1 treble for 7lb claiming conditional jockey Ryan Mania.
The partnership made it two with Doc Row (15-2), who pipped 25-1 outsider Zitenka in a bobbing finish to the Ashleybank Investments Reg Tweedie Novices’ Handicap Chase.
Doc Row led after the second-last but could not shake off Zitenka, whose spirited effort was just denied.
“The jockey did better than the horse. Ryan gave him a super ride,” Monteith added.
“The jockey kept him going and won the race.”
Mania completed his treble when getting home the Rayson Nixon-trained Political Paddy (7-4 favourite) by six lengths in the Irish Racing Annual Handicap Hurdle.
Ockey De Neulliac (9-1) got off the mark at the first time of asking in the Lilburn Estate Introduction Hurdle.
Leading after the last, Ferdy Murphy’s charge had to be kept up to his work by Graham Lee to hold Prince De Beauchene and Sphinx in a close finish.
Sphinx’s rider Keith Mercer was banned one day (December 5) for using his whip with excessive frequency.
