Loch Dara (Declan Queally) jumps the last© Photo Healy Racing
Mossey Joe justified favouritism 12 months ago but this time it was the bookmakers who were all smiles as Loch Dara landed the prestigious Derek Lyng & Sports Injury Surgery Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase at Gowran Park.
The Len Whitmore-trained eight-year-old gelding, sent off an unconsidered 20/1 chance, only made his debut a year ago in the point-to-point sphere.
He scored between the flags at Ballysteen before adding to that success in a hunter chase at Wexford in November but a couple of outings since seemed to underline his limitations.
However the lightly-raced son of Winged Love led away from the second last under Declan Queally, and held on under pressure on the run-in by half a length from the rallying Davy From Milan Burren River the 15/8 favourite, faded approaching the last to finish a further 12 lengths back in third. Quel Esprit (4/1) was weak in the market, dropped out quickly after making the running and was pulled up before four out. He was found to be lame post-race.
