Crosshue Boy and JJ Slevin in full flight at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Crosshue Boy returned to form and landed some nice bets in the process when taking the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The Sean Doyle-trained gelding, winner of a point-to-point and now four times under rules, was available at 25/1 earlier in the day and went off a 10/1 chance.
The eight-year-old son of Brian Boru, who weakened in the straight last time at the Limerick Christmas meeting, was stepping back in distance and given a dashing ride from the front.
JJ Slevin’s mount stayed on well from the last, where 2/1 favourite Thirsty Work was a few lengths down when falling and hampered a number of runners behind.
Crosshue Boy came home four and three quarter lengths clear of Fenlon’s Hill, with Monbeg Chit Chat a further length and three quarters away in third.
Slevin said, “He gave me a great spin and got into a lovely rhythm with his jumping. That’s what won it for him really.
“He’s won a point-to-point in the past and stays further but he got away with that (2m1f) as his jumping was so good.”
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Alto Esqua (FR), trained by C.Byrnes, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
