Great from McGarvey as he stays on Field

Jody McGarvey asked and got some marvellous leaps from Great Field He asked again at the last, Great Field stumbled on landing though, and all but unseated him in the Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Novice Chase at Leopardstown. McGarvey performed heroics to stay aboard (finished out with one iron) and justify 15/8 favouritism in race four.

The well-backed Willie Mullins-trained victor (successful on this card a year back too) put it to his rivals from the get-go in this two mile one furlong event.

He had them on the stretch when making a pretty serious error two out. Both in the ownership of J P McManus, Great Field and Don't Touch It were booked for the big honours from there home and eight lengths eventually split them at the line. Woodland Opera finished a length and three parts back in third whilst Identity Thief disappointed a further fifteen lengths behind in fourth.

McGarvey commented: "He jumped super in the early part of the race. He was real quick but just doesn't have a lot of scope. At the last he just knuckled at the back of it. I was rolling around on his back but luckily kept the partnership intact.

"He was very low over the last three at Gowran the last day and it was the same at the second last today. He has a fair engine and is well able to pick himself up at the back of one after making a mistake and gallop on."

"A great performance by horse and rider. He's improved a lot from Gowran, and should keep improving. We'll have to find another target for him," said Mullins meanwhile.

"I don't really want to go to Aintree and I don't think there is anything for him at Fairyhouse as I don't want to go 2m4f in the Ryanair.

"First of all he has to come out of this and we'll see where we go then."

A great recovery from @jody_mcgarvey as Great Field wins at @LeopardstownRC: pic.twitter.com/OB25VdiGA6

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 5, 2017

(AM & EM)