Robbie Power asks and Woodland Opera delivers© Photo Healy Racing
Robbie Power and Woodland Opera put in a performance befitting the PWC Champion Chase's name, and Grade Two status, when hammering their Gowran Park rivals by ten lengths and more.
On the go during the summer Robbie Power made use of the Robin Des Champs gelding's fitness, going from the front in this two and a half mile centre-piece.
Of course early favourite Balko Des Flos missed out owing to the ground, but he might have had a job matching Woodland Opera on the day.
One of three Jessica Harrington representatives — her Rock The World was 5th and Don't Touch It last — Power asked for more from Woodland Opera from three out.
He made a slight mistake at the next and Power kept up the revs at the last, drawing clear on the run-in to beat Jury Duty by ten lengths.
"Robbie said the couple of runs over hurdles have sharpened him up a lot," said Mrs Harrington.
"He went three miles the last time so Robbie said 'I can jump out and make it and make them come to me'.
"I said you were very brave at the last and he said 'I didn't know how near they were'. I said to him 'if you'd fallen you were going to go from here to Carlow before you stopped'.
"We'll keep him going, I'm not sure quite where, as long as the ground is good. I haven't a clue where he'll go as I didn't exactly expect to win this.
"He'll get a break during the winter and will go out. I made him run all through the winter as a younger horse and now I'm getting sense.
"He'll go three miles on that ground because he wasn't stopping today."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined A Toi Phil (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
