Texas Jack sprang something of a surprise under a canny ride from Paul Carberry to win the Boylesports.com Bet On Your Mobile Novice Chase at Leopardstown.

Carberry crept Noel Meade's seven-year-old into the Grade Two race from the second-last and led after jumping the final fence.

However, in a thrilling finish Texas Jack (6-1) was all out to hold Lord Windermere by half a length, with Marito a further neck away in third and Mount Benbulben another in the bunch as they crossed the line.

Meade said: "He jumped brilliant and he got a brilliant ride, as per usual. I thought in the last 100 yards that they were going to come back and do him, but Paul obviously conjured up another little bit out of him.

"He's a good horse, he ran a good race here at Christmas and Paul felt going back to two mile five furlongs might suit him best, and that proved spot-on. He handles the ground well. We've been racing in ground like this all winter, so we're used to it.

"He might come back here for the Dr PJ Moriarty in two weeks' time, I don't know. I don't think we'll go to Cheltenham with him but if we did, maybe we'll go for the novice handicap. I think he'll stay at home and maybe the Powers Gold Cup is a race you could think about as well."

Willie Mullins grabbed a double through Fatcatinthehat (8-15 favourite) in the opening maiden hurdle and Abbey Lane in the valuable Boylesports.com Handicap Hurdle. The latter (16-1), ridden by the trainer's nephew Emmet Mullins, asserted late on to win by two and a half lengths.

Mullins said: "He ran right up to his rating last time out at Fairyhouse and I thought he handled that real heavy ground and any time you have horses with a nice handicap mark in a big race like that, worth that sort of money, you've got to take your chance. Maybe we'll look at the County Hurdle at Cheltenham."

There wasn't much luck for the handler in the richest race of the day, the Leopardstown Handicap Chase, as Sweet My Lord fell at the last when going well, handing the prize to Farrells Fancy (9-1), who kept Sweeney Tunes at bay by a head. Terence O'Brien's winner was ridden by 5lb claimer Mark Enright.

Le Vent D'Antan (7-4 favourite) made an impressive winning debut in the bumper for trainer Liz Doyle and is 6-1 favourite for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival with Stan James.

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