Topacio leaves rivals trailing

Topacio earned a 14 to 1 quote for the Triumph Hurdle after a convincing win in the featured New Stand At Punchestown Juvenile Hurdle on Saturday.

Charlie Swan made the decisive move aboard the Pat Hughes-trained gelding when quickening clear off the home bend to beat Francines-Boy by a comfortable seven lengths. Calladine, successful in the Denny Juvenile Hurdle on his only previous outing over timber, was soundly beaten in third place when falling at the last.

Hughes was a bit disappointed by the jumping of the Saddlers' Hall gelding, who will also be entered for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Conor O'Dwyer and Arthur Moore dominated the remainder of the card, with both completing trebles. O'Dwyer moved onto the 37 winner mark, with two of his victories coming aboard the Moore-trained pair Lord Of The Dance and Double Account.

However, it was Moore's other success with the Barry Cash-ridden Bit On The Hide in the two mile, five furlong handicap chase which was the main talking point. Denis Leahy's mount Ballyquin went outside a marker doll before the penultimate fence on the way to beating Bit On The Hide by 13 lengths. and was subsequently disqualified for taking the wrong course. Leahy picked up a two-day suspension and had to forfeit his riding fee for the error.

Housemaster (Kieren Fallon), the Derby fourth, ran second to Resfa in the first leg of the Hong Triple Crown Series, the Stewards' Cup (1m), a domestic Group One race, at Sha Tin yesterday. Two former Irish-trained runners, Johan Cruyff and Desert Fox, having both made the frame in past editions of the Irish Derby, were eighth and ninth respectively.

Kieren Fallon, having returned to the saddle in the Chinese territory earlier this month following a knee operation, was on the mark with Espresso.

Dark Moondancer, the 1999 Prix Ganay winner, was beaten a head by Public Purse in the Grade Two San Marcos Handicap (10f) at Santa Anita on Saturday. Khalid Abullah, Public Purse's owner, went on to complete a big race double with Honest Lady in the Grade One Santa Monica Handicap on the same card.