Colcannon strikes under Derek O'Connor to complete 37-1 Noel Meade treble

It was throwback Saturday at Ballybrit, as a 37-1 treble for Noel Meade was a reminder of times when the former champion trainer was the dominant force in Irish jump racing.

Meade will probably have derived most pleasure from the third leg of his treble when Derek O'Connor partnered Colcannon to land the concluding bumper. 

He had been unluckily disqualified after bolting up in a Punchestown bumper in February when his rider Finn Tegetmeier had weighed in a fraction light. It was still something on Meade's mind after the race.

He said: "The day he won at Punchestown was his D-day because he went downhill after that, he was just an immature four-year-old and he is still growing. He grew a lot over the summer." 

He added: "Derek said he is very hard on himself; he just races too keenly. Hopefully, now we can work on getting him to relax and he will go jumping. We won't run him in any more bumpers. If he is still in good shape, we will run him on the Flat next year as well. He will win a 1m4f maiden, no problem."

Messerschmitt guns down rivals

Meade initiated his 37-1 treble in the opening juvenile maiden when his own horse Messerschmitt came back strongly from an unlucky defeat on the Flat at Thurles to win under Donagh Meyler. 

Messerschmitt: winner at Galway for Noel Meade and Donagh MeylerCredit: Patrick McCann

The double was brought up when Sportinthepark impressively landed the rated novice chase, the sole race over fences on the card, under Meade's former stable jockey Sean Flanagan.

Meade, successful in the Galway Plate with Pinkerton during the summer for the same owner Philip Polly, said: "He has been changed by fences this year but he is a different horse since he came back in. We were worried about going back in trip but maybe the trip was right. He goes on soft ground."

The Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse could be the next target.

Hogan on the rise

Calum Hogan is a young claimer going places and his association with the red-hot stable of Eric McNamara played its part as the second leg of a double on the day came in the 3m handicap hurdle on Meehall for the Rathkeale trainer.

The eight-year-old was recording his second win over the course and distance under a confident ride from Hogan as he stretched clear from the last to score by three and three-quarter lengths from Walk In Time.

Hogan initiated his double in the 2m maiden hurdle on the improving Scotcantou for Eoin McCarthy. He held on by a head from the long-absent Downmexicoway and proved another bargain buy by McCarthy.

He forked out a mere €6,000, which was handsomely repaid by the winning prize of €11,800 and bonuses of €12,500.

McCarthy said: "He really stuck at it and wouldn't want the ground any softer. It's hard to beat a young man riding with such confidence."

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