Caolaneoin (nearest) and Shadow Catcher get over the last© Photo Healy Racing
The eleven-year-old Caolaneoin battled back gamely to deny Shadow Catcher in the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Chase.
The Shane Nolan trained victor ran a cracker on his last start, going down by just half a length to Don't Touch It over the course and distance last month.
He was sent off at 8/1 today under Robbie Colgan, and was settled in mid-division, before improving into second on the approach to the sixth.
The bay gelding made further progress to dispute the lead from four out, and led at the next. He was pressed by Shadow Catcher from two out, and a blunder at the last handed the initiative to his aforementioned rival.
However Caolaneoin battled back gamely on the run-in, getting up on the line to prevail by a nose in the colours of owners Michael Mulligan and Patrick Walsh.
The runner-up was returned at 10/1 under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott, while last year's winner Mr Fiftyone (9/2) was another three and a quarter lengths back in third with Paul Townend in the saddle for Jessica Harrington.
The winning handler said afterwards: "He deserved it after the run the last day. He gets knocked a lot for not finding much off the bridle but he's had plenty of problems with his wind.
"The bit of nice ground is starting to help him as he gets older. He's not able for the deep heavy ground anymore.
"Fair play to the lads they've been really patient. They had to wait four years for him to win his beginners and then the guts of 14 or 15 months to get the next one there.
"You can knock him but he's been picking up plenty of prize-money all year. It's great that he's backed up the last day.
"We'll keep going as long as it's not rock hard ground, he'll handler nice ground. We might go back for a hurdle as he looks off a nice mark over hurdles."
STEWARDS REPORTS
D.J. Mullins, rider of Xsquared, trained by Peter Fahey, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount met with interference jumping and jumped poorly thereafter before being pulled up.
D.E. Mullins, rider of Third Opinion, trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount jumped slowly during this race.
The Stewards interviewed Henry de Bromhead, trainer, of Killiney Court, concerning the fact that the vaccinations contained in the Passport for this horse were incorrect for the second successive occasion. In accordance with Rule 90 the Stewards ordered the withdrawal of Killiney Court and fined the trainer €350.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
