Cross Appeal put in a superb exhibition of jumping and made good use of his light weight to take the featured Paddy Power Chase with Paul Carberry in the saddle.
The Noel Meade-trained five-year-old son of Cape Cross with 10-4 on his back hit the front before the home straight. Carberry sent him clear but in the final 100 yards Treacle had closed to within three-parts-of-a-length with Groody Hill hot on his heels half-a-length further away.
With some bookmakers paying down to fifth place, Montan (16/1) took fourth and Leanne was fifth at 25/1.
Croos Appeal’s last run had seen him finish third in the Troytown behind Groody Hill. Noel Meade made reference to that run. He said: “I was annoyed he got put up four pounds for his run in the Troytown but if he hadn’t been put up he wouldn’t have got in today.
“The better ground was a big help to him. He jumped from fence to fence and he was quite incredible. The owner John Corr was here yesterday but he has a bit of a cold and couldn’t make it here today.
“We’ll probably give him six weeks of rest and the Irish National is something we will have to think about.”
The winner landed a bit of a touch. His SP was 7/1, however, he was 14/1 in the morning and opened at 11s at the track, so certainly had his supporters.
Third-placed Groody Hill’s price contracted from 8/1 to 5/1 on the off but most money was for On His Own representing Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh. Backed at 7/1 in the morning he opened at 4s and was sent off 7/2 favourite. He was brought down two out when making no impression.
Michael Graham
