Hunt hits target for Hughes

Dessie Hughes' Schindlers Hunt bounced back to form in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase to land odds of 16-1.

Twice a Grade One winner in his novice chase days, the nine-year-old had seemed a shadow of his former self recently but dropped into handicap company, he beat Kilcrea Castle by four lengths with favourite Finger Onthe Pulse in third.

"He'd been running well over two miles last year so we stuck with it but we put him up in trip today and it's nice to see he gets it and he might even stay three miles," said Hughes of the Paddy Flood-ridden winner.

"He appreciates good ground. He's close to being a Grade One horse and he has an entry for the Ryanair."

Step up

Charles Byrnes' Merchent Paddy took the step up to Grade Two company in his stride in the Paddy Fitzpatrick Memorial Novice Chase.

Won last year by Glencove Marina, this looked a sub-standard renewal but the 2-1 chance could do no more than win on the bridle.

"I felt he wanted better ground. He stays a bit better on better ground and he might get three miles on good ground," said Byrnes.

"He'll be entered for the RSA Chase and probably the four-miler but being realistic this was not the greatest Grade Two and we won't get carried away."

His pilot Davy Russell added: "Heavy ground was a worry last week and my confidence grew when I got here and found the ground on the good side. That helped my horse and he has plenty of experience."

Dermot Weld's Majestic Concorde (7-2) added a win over fences to his C.V. to go with his victories over hurdles and on the level.

Weld was not getting carried away after his victory in the Leopardstown Annual Badge Beginners Chase though, despite a quote of 25-1 for the Arkle by Cashmans.

Nothing definite

Weld said: "He's really a good ground horse and we have no definite plans at the moment for him.

"It's nice for him to win first time over fences and to see him do it well."

Weld was denied a double in the bumper when his Elegant Concorde was worn down close home by Tornedo Shay, trained by Thomand O'Mara, who said: "He'll go straight to the Cheltenham bumper.

"He's as good a horse as I've ever had, he goes on any ground and he was a bit green when he got there today but believe me he's a really good horse."