Conor O'Dwyer completed a near 74 to 1 treble at Naas on Saturday, bringing his tally for the season to 41. The Wexford-born rider teamed up with Arthur Moore in the two novice chases and also was successful for Eddie Hales in the maiden hurdle.
Zourito justified favouritism in the Saggart Novice Handicap Chase, making most for a convincing 12-length victory over Go For Grogan.
And the locally-based trainer was full of praise for O'Dwyer an hour later when Lyreen Wonder rallied on the run-in to overhaul Saw-Id in the beginners' chase.
Sawad-Id looked set to score when leading after two out, where Lyreen Wonder made one of a number of jumping errors. However, he found little for Tom Rudd when coming under pressure after the last, and amazingly was five and a half lengths adrift at the line. "Conor did well to get him around, and hopefully that will give him a bit of confidence," said Moore.
Hales is another local man and he saddled Whispering Wind to land the Bishopscourt Maiden Hurdle under a good ride from O'Dwyer. The Danehill gelding was left in front after favourite Creux Noir blundered at the last but he tied up in the closing stages as the fast finishing newcomer Bust Out closed to within three-quarters of a length. "He has plenty of pace, and really needs good ground," said Hales afterwards.
The other main talking point of was the action taken by the stewards after a running and riding inquiry into the performance of Balla Time, a never dangerous 14th of 24 in the Kildare Maiden Hurdle. Tommy Treacy was suspended for seven racing days for making insufficient effort, Michael Holden fined £500 for using the racecourse as a training ground and the gelding suspended for 42 days.
Jim Gorman's Cheltenham hope Parkgate sadly had to be put down after breaking a hind leg when cantering on the Curragh on Saturday morning. Parkgate, a winner at Gowran Park last time out, had been a contender for either the Supreme Novices' Hurdle or the SunAlliance.
Yesterday's Hennessy crowd at Leopardstown of 16,100 was 1,288 down on the 1999 figure but the Tote figure of £371,429 was up £15,636. Bookmaker figures were not available.
