Halpin strikes with Noble Commander

Dunderry trainer James Halpin maintained his good form when he sent Galway bumper winner Noble Commander to Down Royal on Wednesday of last week to contest the opening maiden hurdle. Ridden by the in-form Barry Geraghty in the colours of the Ratoath-based Tough Times Syndicate, the gelding prevailed over market rival The Patriarch Game with the Des McDonogh-trained Global Position back in third place. Geraghty is due to take up his new role as jockey to Nicky Henderson in the coming weeks taking over from the retired Mick Fitzgerald. The Drumree jockey eased the winner to the front between the last two flights and asserted his authority to score by three lengths, with the Willie Mullins-trained runner-up having to settle for minor honours once more after finding less than expected. Geraghty was back in the winners" enclosure at Galway on Monday when he steered another local horse to victory. This time it was Skryne owner Jimmy Swan who provided the ammunition in the form of The Quiet Enforcer which was sent off at 11/4 favourite and duly obliged for trainer Steve Mahon. There was also a return to the winners" enclosure at Down Royal last week for Nina Carberry. Tuis was her first winner since she returned from her trip to Australia with the Irish team and she took the bumper in fine style with the Michael Halford-trained Clayton Chief. Paul Carberry was on the mark at Clonmel on Thursday with the Eoin Griffin-trained South Wing in a maiden hurdle. 'Paul gave him a lovely ride and just switched him off, but he wouldn"t like that ground,' stated the trainer. Ger Lyons maintained his winning form at Dundalk on Sunday where Emmet McNamara won a handicap with Fiery Lad which chased the leaders before getting to the front over a furlong out, eventually recording a neck win over Lunduv. 'Fiery Lad is a fair horse, but this race wasn"t on the agenda! I thought following his win here recently, handicaps were out off the agenda, but the handicapper was very fair to him and the conditions of this event suited,' stated the trainer. 'He is a very consistent and thriving horse and will go back to Dundalk at the end of September for a Listed race,' he added. The Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown produced a worthy winner in the shape of the Jim Bolger-trained New Approach on Sunday. His task was made all the easier by the withdrawal of Duke Of Marmalade. Last year"s Aintree Grand National winner, the Gordon Elliott-trained Silver Birch is back in training. Silver Birch hasn"t raced since that Liverpool victory due to injury, but is reportedly about to return to training according to his trainer. The 11-year-old will go down the point-to-point and cross-country chase route with a repeat bid for the Aintree Grand National his ultimate target. The trainer"s brother, Joey, who sustained a broken leg in a fall at Downpatrick last month, could be on the sidelines until after Christmas. 'I"m making good progress, but it was a bad break and it could be as long as six months before I can even consider getting back to action,' he told the Meath Chronicle on Tuesday. Last season"s joint top-rated chaser, Mossbank, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season by his trainer, Michael Hourigan. The eight-year-old has reportedly had a setback and will be given a long rest to recover, with a view to returning for the 2009 / 2010 season.