Railway on track for festival

Racing news: The Railway Man has received the green light to take his chance in the SunAlliance Chase.

Arthur Moore's star novice enjoyed the biggest win of his career when he landed last month's Dr PJ Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown, and will now step up to three miles for the first time at the festival next week.

"The Arkle looks like turning into a very hot race, and going the SunAlliance route will give us an indication about stamina for his future career," said Moore yesterday.

The Railway Man had the current SunAlliance favourite Our Ben back in third in the Moriarty, and is a general 12 to 1 shot for the festival in ante-post betting.

Moore's other intended festival starter, Tiger Cry, is being aimed at the Grand Annual Chase.

The Naas trainer revealed the decision at Leopardstown, where Cheltenham hints were plentiful after racing but rather thin on the ground during the actual seven contests.

In Compliance, though, looked a real festival prospect when making it two from two over fences in the novice chase. But his Cotswold future will hopefully be next year in the Gold Cup rather than next week's Arkle.

Barry Geraghty's mount had the race won anyway when Brutto Facie and Lordofourown exited at the last.

"He won't go to Cheltenham. Three races in three weeks wouldn't do him any good," said trainer Michael O'Brien. "He will go for the Power Gold Cup and I will treat him as a Gold Cup prospect. He looks the real deal."

Geraghty and O'Brien had earlier combined to win the conditions hurdle with Parliament Square and the former champion jockey ended the day on the 77 winner mark for the season, two clear of Ruby Walsh, with a treble that was kicked off by Mister Top Notch. It was Geraghty's third three-timer in the last fortnight.

O'Brien completed his own treble with De Valira, who justified a smart home reputation by making a winning debut in the bumper.

"He's a real horse for the future and could be anything," said O'Brien, who could send the half-brother to Valiriamix to Limerick next.

Anyone in possession of the evidence of the previous three editions of this meeting, when 16 of the 21 favourites won out, made a killing through most of the afternoon, and New Field confirmed the trend with a narrow success in the €53,000 Mick Holly Handicap Chase.

The JP McManus-owned horse overcame some scratchy jumping to beat Star Clipper by a head, but needed a typical Tony McCoy drive to score.

"He had been showing more speed at home and I told Tony to ride him like a good horse. But his jumping will have to improve a lot," said New Field's trainer Tom Mullins.

"He got the McCoy treatment in the last 100 yards, but he might be tough enough to take it. We'll think about Cheltenham (Jewson Handicap)."

Five favourites won out, but it was the 20 to 1 Khetaam who was the real surprise, returning from 849 days off to win the handicap hurdle and earn a possible trip to Cheltenham for the County.