Soldier At War and Sean Flanagan (maroon) head Enjoy D'allen at the last © Photo Healy Racing
The Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey Beginners’ Chase saw Soldier At War (4/1) defeat the 7/4 favourite Enjoy D’allen by a length and three quarters.
Sean Flanagan deputised for Jack Kennedy (fractured his collarbone at Limerick yesterday) and he kept tabs on the pace-setting market leader before shaking up his mount to lead narrowly racing down to the last.
On the run-in the Soldier Hollow gelding pulled out a bit more to land his second career win.
Like Brave Way earlier, this winner started in point-to-points with Warren Ewing and finished second to Malone Road in that sphere.
Having been bought for £140,000 by Gigginstown House Stud, Soldier At war won a maiden hurdle at Sligo last year and was third on his recent chasing bow at Listowel.
He was completing a 17/1 double for winning trainer Gordon Elliott who commented: "He had a lovely run the last day, Jack was delighted with him then and we knew he'd come on a good bit from the run.
“The conditions of this race suited him well so it was the right race to go for.
“He's probably more of a handicapper than a graded horse and that's job done.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
