Monksland (11-4) gained his revenge over Zaidpour with a cosy success in the woodiesdiy.com Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Noel Meade's five-year-old overturned a defeat in the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse with the help of a 2lb pull over Willie Mullins' runner.

Whatuthink set out to make all the running and held a big advantage at one stage. However, he was swallowed up before the final flight where Zaidpour jumped into the lead, but Paul Carberry delivered Monksland with a perfectly-timed challenge on the far side to swoop for a two-and-a-half-length verdict.

Meade said: "Paul said he was struggling in the ground, but he just left him alone and gave him that half a furlong for a breather. He got a bit of air back into his lungs, gave him a bit of a break and was able to come home. It worked out really well for him.

"I didn't really know if he would stay (three miles), but sometimes with those horses that win bumpers you usually find they stay really well. He never lets you down."

Bookmaker reaction to his chance in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, which will be minus Big Buck's this season, was swift, with William Hill halving Monksland in price from 16-1 to 8-1.

Meade said: "The World Hurdle is open enough now, but we'll live for today. He's a very young horse, he's only five and he's very easy to train. He had a hard race today and might not run before Cheltenham."

Carberry said: "He wasn't mad about the ground. It's a bit sticky. He was struggling on it so I sat up on him a bit and he got a second wind and did very well to get up. He's a class horse. That's the worst the ground has been all week, very gluey."

Zaidpour's trainer Mullins and jockey Walsh went one better when Supreme Carolina (5-1) prevailed in the Star Best For Racing Christmas Rated Hurdle.

There were plenty in with chances at the final flight but it was Supreme Carolina who showed the neatest turn of foot to take the honours. Persian Gayle fought hard but was beaten half a length with Pires just behind in third.

13 May 2013

Fabre confirms Ocovango for Epsom
Aspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout

12 May 2013

No hurry for Jammy plans
Guest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning

11 May 2013

Felix foot-perfect on fencing debut
Cavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory

10 May 2013

Telescope focus is on Dante
Blinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests