Theatreworld returns to form in great style

FOLLOWING a disappointing performance behind Large Action at Cheltenham, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Theatreworld came into his own at Leopardstown yesterday when making all the running to win the featured December Festival Hurdle by five lengths.

To charge £10 plus another £3 for the Reserved Enclosure for yesterday's postponed meeting and not to back the Jackpot which was guaranteed for £20,000 on Sunday, was reprehensible to say the least.

Clearly happy in making the running, Theatreworld was most impressive and having popped the last flight clear of the stable-companions Hill Society and Cockney Lad - Guest Performance had fallen earlier - was eased down by Charlie Swan.

The Ladbroke Hurdle would appear to be the obvious target for the winner but after conferring with Swan his trainer said he might well run him in the AIG Irish Champion Hurdle on January 19th, leaving Urubande to represent the stable with top weight in the Ladbroke.

Urubande needs to be bustled along in a competitive race," said his handler, who explained Theatreworld's below-par effort at Cheltenham to different riding tactics and the extremely fast ground.

Conor O'Dwyer rode his sixth winner of the four-day meetings when landing the Killiney Handicap Chase on the Frank Berry-trained Banner Gale.

The Edward O'Grady-bred gelding, who has been disappointing in recent races, never put a foot wrong and travelling easily behind the front-running Vulpin De Laugere touched down in front

Shading Bangabunny over the third last, the Francis Flood-trained Finehpalm raced clear to the last and readily held the late challenge of Glint Of Eagles to win the Dalkey Beginners Chase. Kaldan Khan lost a lot of ground at the start. Finehpalm has Cheltenham as his long term objective.

Runner-up to Lady Daisy at Clonmel, the Tony Martin-trained Collon Leader reversed the placings in the Ballinclea Handicap Hurdle. Ridden by Gordon Elliott, the winner overcame blunders at the last two flights but had enough in reserve to hold Lady Daisy whose challenge arrived too late.