Gavin Cromwell's Perceval Legallois (17-2) finally landed the big pot he has so often promised in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.
"This horse has threatened to win a big one for a long time. He kept going up in the handicap and I thought his chance was gone to be honest," said Cromwell.
"Mark (Walsh) gave him a great ride, he took his time and stayed wide for the better ground. It’s great.
"I don’t know where he goes now, we’ll enjoy this one anyway."
Local trainer Barry Connell was delighted to bag a winner at the meeting when his Enniskerry (9-1) caught Pinot Gris right on the line to win the Spinal Injuries Ireland Handicap Hurdle.
"It’s brilliant to have it here. At Christmas and the Dublin Racing Festival, that’s where arguably the racing is most competitive, and obviously at Punchestown in the spring," said Connell.
"I love having winners here and that horse is special because we’ve had him for seven or eight years. He’s kind of the pet of the yard. He could be a horse for the Grand Annual, he has that sort of profile."
Perceval Legallois makes a late charge under Mark Walsh to win the Paddy Power for Gavin Cromwell
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 27, 2024
1 Perceval Legallois 17/2
2 Midnight Our Fred 10/1
3 Pinkerton 11/1
4 Nick Rockett 25/1#Leopardstown pic.twitter.com/8C5yaLfHZj
Jeannot Lapin caused a 150-1 surprise when making a winning debut under rules in the Paddy Power From The Horses Mouth Podcast Beginners Chase.
Having failed to win in three point-to-points, the giant Gearoid O'Loughlin-trained five-year-old travelled sweetly throughout, defying his huge odds.
With the Willie Mullins-trained favourite It's For Me pulled up early on by Daryl Jacob, it was What's Up Darling who chased the winner home.
"I expected him to run really well as his home work had been very good. I thought he was a proper horse," said O’Loughlin.
"I bought him in Doncaster off Sam Curling for £3,000, Dominic (Jones) was looking for a horse. I couldn’t find what was wrong with him and obviously there is nothing wrong with him. He was maybe a bit sick when he ran in his point-to-points or something.
"He’s from the family of Epatante and is by Doctor Dino so I wouldn’t say he stays three miles.
"He did a piece of work around Tipperary two weeks ago and showed me enough to say he’d be competitive in one of these. He was entitled to be here. He’s massive and he was a shell in May. To be fair to his owner Dominic he brought him home and fed him all through the summer.
"There is no plan, the plan was today as he wanted a runner here. He sent me off to buy a horse and I got one for three grand to run in Leopardstown at Christmas.
"I’ve never had a horse as big as him, maybe a hunter!"
Wendrock took the scalp of classy Flat performer Galileo Dame to get off the mark for Gordon Elliott in the three-year-old maiden hurdle.
Bought by Gigginstown House Stud for 82,000 guineas having finished third twice on the level for Lucinda Russell, he put the experience of his hurdling debut to good use.
Joseph O’Brien’s Galileo Dame had been sent off favourite for the Cheshire Oaks in May and went on to finish second in two Listed races. But her jumping left plenty to be desired and she just held off Noel Meade’s promising Money Dancer for second.
"That was grand. He doesn’t do anything flashy at home, but he has a good attitude and you’d like the way he went there," said Elliott of the 3-1 winner.
"I’d imagine he’ll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival, but to be honest I’d say he’s more of a Fred Winter horse than a Grade One horse.
"He’ll need another run to qualify so he’ll probably end up coming back for that and that will tell us where to go."
He added: "We have one or two nice ones at home to run. We’re a bit short this year, but have a nice horse that came from France, he could probably end up coming here for the Grade One."
There was a shock in the bumper when Colm Ryan's Karate Kid (18-1) ran out a decisive winner – a first for the trainer.
"It’s terrific. John (Hayes, owner who trained him for his first run) is busy farming and it was very kind of him to give him to me after his last run," said Ryan.
"He’s quite a smart horse. Ray (Barron) probably went too soon, he gave him a terrific ride but he just ran about in front.
"I suppose he could be sold now. I just have five stores and this fella, he’s the only horse I have to run."
