Mark Walsh (white cap) on The Long Mile comes to beat Conright Boy (Donagh Meyler)© Photo Healy Racing
The other intended J P McManus runner, It’s Only A Number came out, and in the green and gold under Mark Walsh The Long Mile (9/4 into 13/8 favourite) landed a gamble in the Naas Nursery Of Champions Handicap Chase.
For Philip Dempsey, who recently had another winner for McManus, Ten Ten, at Navan, The Long Mile was contesting his first handicap chase.
That showed in his jumping early but Walsh looked happy that he had all rivals covered in the straight.
When he had to switch around eventual second Conright Boy from the furlong pole, things got a little scary for favourite backers.
They needn't have worried though, as Walsh got there in good time to prevail on the Kayf Tara gelding by three parts of a length.
They left Fairymount Boy thirteen lengths back in third.
“It was lovely to win with him, it was a weak contest but it was grand to win it,” said Dempsey.
“It took him the whole straight too. He was very novicey and I was surprised by that but I suppose they were going a gallop.
“He's versatile enough trip wise, he'd want to improve a little bit too. He didn't win over hurdles or anything so it's great to get the win.”
Owing to the low lying sun, the Stewards granted permission for fences # 1 and 2 (the 2 fences in the straight) to be omitted from this race.
(GC & EM)
