Hansupfordetroit leads them early at Ballinrobe© Photo Healy Racing
Back to the scene of his only previous victory and making his handicap chase debut, Hansupfordetroit put on an excellent demonstration of galloping and jumping with Niki O'Shea in the plate in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase at Ballinrobe.
Despite going off at 10/1, Aidan Howard's (his mother Nuala owns the eight-year-old) charge didn't go un-backed and he ensured there was no hiding place from the front in this two and three quarter miler.
The big son of Zagreb burned off his closest pursuer, A Decent Excuse going down the back for the last time.
Patiently ridden favourite, Twin Plan tried to bridge the gap from the third last but Hansupfordetroit was on real good terms with himself on this occasion, he jumped the last two as well as he'd jumped the rest and he crossed the line eleven lengths to the good.
Howard was leading the winner up so it was left to O'Shea to remark: "He likes the juice in the ground and he jumps great.
"He had a few bad runs in beginners' chases but he won here last year. I believe he's for sale.
"I'm going to Australia next week for a year or two and we'll see how things go. I'm going to Adelaide.
"I was meant to go in January but it took a while to get a visa. I've got a job in a yard out there and Donal MacAuley is going as well.
"I said I was going before but then I got injured. I know it's hard but after struggling to get rides it's the right move.
"I had been working for Ted Walsh and riding out for trainers in the Curragh all winter." (TW & EM)
