Ger Lyons recorded the biggest success of his training career when the Paul Carberry-ridden Mulkev Prince landed the £20,000 Ratoath Novice Chase at Fairyhouse yesterday.
Carberry was seen at his brilliant best aboard the seven-year-old in a true-run event, with Tempo setting a blistering pace from Lyon's charge.
Mulkev Prince, who gave an exhibition of jumping, was sent to the front three out and kept on stoutly in the straight to hold Delphi Lodge by two lengths.
Lyons said afterwards: "He must go right-handed, and races like the Power Gold Cup back here at Easter and the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown will be on his agenda."
Carberry later completed a double aboard Blaze Of Honour in the Rathcoole Handicap Chase. The mare wandered about in the straight but still had enough in reserve to beat Collon snugly. Archive Footage earned an 8 to 1 quote from the Sean Graham organisation for the Citroen Supreme Novices' Hurdle after taking the INH Novice Hurdle by eight lengths.
However, the outcome was far from clear approaching two out, where Walk On Mix fell when apparently travelling best of all.
Richard Dunwoody had to push Archive Footage along from before halfway but the Sadler's Wells gelding found plenty in the straight to beat Oonagh's Star by eight lengths.
"He is loaded with talent, and I expect him to run a very good race at Cheltenham. He will love the hill and would be suited by better ground," said winning trainer Dermot Weld.
Dunwoody brought his Irish score for the season to 44 when completing a double on Tell The Nipper in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. The Ulsterman, who broke out in a rash yesterday and believes he may have contracted measles, drove out the seven-year-old to hold Heist by a neck. Miss Orchestra had every chance when pecking on landing after the last and unseating Barry Geraghty .
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