Perceval Legallois remains in Grand National reckoning

Perceval Legallois could be considered for the Grand National after winning the Race And Stay At Leopardstown Handicap Hurdle for the second time in three years.

He ensured it was a day to remember for Gavin Cromwell, as after winning his first Grade One in his homeland for over four years with Hello Neighbour, the trainer’s eight-year-old followed up his win over fences last time out.

Mark Walsh oozed confidence and brought the 15-2 chance through to beat Gaoth Chuil by a length and a half.

“You wouldn’t think he was after running over fences, he was very nimble over hurdles,” said Cromwell.

“Obviously, he was off a lower mark. I thought coming here that he was a better chaser than a hurdler, but you can’t argue with that.

“He’s in the National and sure you’d have to consider it.

“It’s fantastic, it’s so hard to be competitive here, so to win two races is brilliant.”

Betfair cut Perceval Legallois to 20-1 from 33s for Aintree.

Derek O’Connor brought Noel Meade’s Colcannon from last to first to win the Paddy Power Play Card (C & G) I.N.H. Flat Race for Noel Meade.

The 9-2 chance was having his sixth run in a bumper but was wearing a hood for the first time. He had won a Punchestown bumper last February, only to be disqualified after his teenage jockey Finn Tegetmeier weighed in light, but belatedly got off the mark at Galway in October.

“We always thought he was fairly useful,” said Meade.

“It was unfortunate what happened last year with Finn. He was point-three light, which is nothing, and he went and won by nine lengths.

“The whole intention after he won his bumper was to go jumping with him but the schooling just wasn’t going the way I wanted it to go.

“I felt he was going to take a run or two over hurdles to get to where we want him.

“I’d say we go with a different plan. We decided we’d run him in the bumper at Christmas but the day before we had spots in the yard and he came up with a couple of spots, so we had to take him out of that and then here was the next one.

“Unfortunately, he’s not qualified for Cheltenham but I think he’s OK for Punchestown, so we’ll probably plan for that. If there is something in between, at Fairyhouse, we’ll see.”

Paul Nolan got on the scoresheet when An Peann Dearg (8-1) ran out an easy winner of the Ryanair Handicap Chase – but the trainer bemoaned the seven-length winning margin.

“It’s great for Jim and Sonja (Buckley, co-owners), they are very important people in the yard and it’s great to have them here and win a big pot,” said Nolan.

“He travelled well, something similar to the last day, but he probably hit the line a little bit stronger.

“We could see it today, but the handicapper can see it as well!”