At The Races

Although seemingly not quite as strong as the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle on Wednesday, or for that matter the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on the first day of the meeting, this still looked a riveting contest with several challengers boasting form that marked them out as useful prospects for the future.

Black Jack Ketchum and Wichita Lineman figure on the list of previous winners - in a race that has been run just four times - and in every season since its inception, up to this point at least, it has been landed by a well-fancied contender starting at single-figure odds.

That sequence was maintained thanks to six-year-old Irish raider WEAPON'S AMNESTY, an 8-1 chance, who, given a shrewdly-judged waiting ride by Davy Russell - being restrained early before easing into contention and grabbing the lead at the last - scored by half a length.

Charles Byrnes's charge, twice a hurdles winner already and second in a Grade 2 event at Leopardstown on his latest start, needed to be brave to hold off the determined challenge of Pride Of Dulcote and, perhaps idling a little before coming under full pressure, he was edging away again close home.

Pride Of Dulcote represented Paul Nicholls and was partnered by Ruby Walsh, looking for a remarkable seventh success at the 2009 Festival, so, not surprisingly, bookmakers were running scared from this three-time hurdles winner.

The six-year-old's middle victory, achieved in an apparently competitive handicap at Wincanton in December, had earned him an official rating of 155 and that mark, if it could be relied upon as a guide to his ability, obviously made him a leading contender in this company.

He made a bold bid to justify that elevated figure, kicking for home at the top of the hill and briefly gaining what appeared to be a decisive advantage, but, although he rallied gamely after being headed by the winner, he always seemed likely to come off second best.

Nobody should have needed reminding how well Willie Mullins's string had already fared at this year's Festival, notwithstanding his unusually poor showing in the Champion Bumper, and third-home The Midnight Club came here with the profile of a smart and progressive performer.

The eight-year-old had won his last three starts, in a bumper and then two hurdles, at Limerick and Fairyhouse, and, although he was facing different underfoot conditions now, with those successes being notched on testing going, dismissing his propects was impossible.

The Midnight Club, as might have been expected considering his liking for easy going, was slightly outpaced when the front two quickened, but he finished with a flourish, overhauling On Raglan Road on the run from the last, and he seems sure to collect again, possibly over even longer trips.

Cape Tribulation, a decent bumper performer before going on to make his mark on the Flat, had fared even better since switched to hurdling.

Malcolm Jefferson's five-year-old, rated by his experienced trainer as he best horse he has had since the exceptional Dato Star, was unbeaten in two starts since going jumping and the second victory of his latest career had been hugely impressive.

Cape Tribulation had won by 17 lengths at Doncaster on that occasion, leaving some apparently reliable yardsticks, including On Raglan Road, trailing in his wake, but here, under markedly faster conditions, he could confirm those placings.