Fandango de Chassy best

Take Fandango de Chassy to lead his rivals a merry dance in the Tote Bookmakers Full Stop Novices' Chase at Carlisle today. Trained by Tony Martin, this promising sort has already won twice at Perth in the opening weeks of the season as well as scoring at Fairyhouse and Naas in January.

On the strength of those victories he was made favourite for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival but ran badly. He was never going and was tailed off when pulled up approaching four out.

The ground was very fast that day and Fandango de Chassy will appreciate today's easier conditions.

Grey Abbey is proving a real money-spinner for Barry Murtagh having recorded a hat-trick of wins.

The gelding completed his three-timer in fine style, making effortless progress to lead turning in and was pushed clear to win by 15 lengths from The Eens at Newcastle.

Grey Abbey is clearly on the upgrade and can continue his rich vein of form in the NSPCC Cruelty To Children Must Stop Handicap Hurdle, in which Tony Martin runs his Downpatrick winner, Wilton Bridge.

Charlie Swan is another Irish trainer represented at meeting, sending Broguestown Breeze for the Racing Channel To Help Children Handicap Chase and Birth Rite for the first division of the bumper.

Peccadillo can follow-up a recent impressive victory at Folkestone in the Bank One National Hunt Credit Card Novices' Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter.

Michael Croke saddled his first winner for six years when Saville Row, ridden by Pat Verling, made all to beat the heavily backed favourite, Boulevard, in the first division of the Horse & Jockey Maiden Hurdle at Thurles yesterday.

"My last winner on the track was also here when Lady Bar won a handicap chase in February '94," said a delighted Croke, who added:

"I have been waiting on good ground for Saville Row."

Kieran Kelly substituted for Garrett Cotter - shaken after an earlier fall - on Leos Holiday, who landed the Littleton Handicap Hurdle (Div 11). Jimmy Mangan's mare led at the last to beat Shrug by two lengths and the Cork trainer said afterwards: "She is a half-sister to Greenflag Princess and should make a nice chaser."

The Adrian Maguire-ridden Bachelors Bar, second reserve in the first division of the handicap hurdle, headed Cryptic Pattern in the closing stages to score by half a length. The 7 to 2 favourite Gillys Hope, soundly beaten in sixth, was found to be coughing post-race.

Godolphin's China Visit will miss the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6th in favour of a crack at the Kentucky Derby the same day, it was confirmed yesterday.

The Red Ransom colt had been as short as 4 to 1 for the Guineas following his impressive victory in the UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba last week.