Meade pleased with Pandorama

Noel Meade and his deputy jockey Davy Condon, who is standing in for the suspended Paul Carberry, combined for a grade one win at Fairyhouse last Wednesday when Pandorama proved too strong Alpha Ridge in the home straight and won the Drinmore Chase by seven lengths. Owned by Kinnegad businessman Robert Bagnall who backed his horse at 7/1, was delighted with the success. "He jumped left the last day and everyone got caught up on that, but the fences at Punchestown are wide, today he got a lead and he was totally different," stated trainer Meade. Dunguib, which is owned by Athboy woman Lily Lawlor, landed the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle after taking the lead in the straight for jockey Brian O'Connell who was parterning his first winner as a professional. Trained by Philip Fenton, Dunguib may not appear again until the February meeting at Leopardstown in preparation for the big novices hurdle at Cheltenham next March. "We'll have to have a chat about whether we run him at Leopardstown over Christmas, we might side-step it, we will have a chat with Lily about that," stated trainer Philip Fenton. Ashbourne jockey Andrew Lynch was also on the mark at his local track as he maintained some great form this season. Lynch won on Sizing America to land a gamble (16/1 into 7/1) in the Caffrey's of Batterstown Handicap Chase. At Naas on Thursday, Lynch was also in the winners' enclosure when Litttle Barney won a maiden hurdle for trainer Denis Cullen. Meade also added to his tally when Thegreatjohnbrowne landed a gamble (5/1 into 5/4) in the concluding bumper. "He's a gorgeous horse, but that's it for him in bumpers now, they went very slow there and that wouldn't have suited, he wants a good gallop, said Meade. Lynch was also on the mark at Navan on Saturday where Telenor got off the mark over fences when staying well to take the three-mile beginners chase for Jim Dreaper. "He's not the quickest, but stays going, I'm delighted to win that. He's no Pandorama, but he'll have to go up against winners now," stated the trainer. Kilcloon trainer John Carr, who trained Sublimity to win the Champion Hurdle, enjoyed a change of luck when Benash produced a fine front-running performance to take the concluding bumper at Navan. Wilkinstown trainer Liam McAteer sent out a winner over fences at Punchestown on Sunday for the in-form Lynch who guided the Marie Cusack-owned Tasman to victory. "He ran a binder in the Troytown, he was badly hampered by the winner four from home and I couldn't believe he was such a big price today," stated McAteer who may send the winner to Aintree next year. McAteer also confirmed that Mill House Girl could be a lively contender for a race at Cheltenham on Saturday.