Champagne Fever leads Lord Windermere over the last, with Roi Des Francs partly hidden in-between © Photo Healy Racing
Champagne Fever twice successful at the Cheltenham Festival but sidelined all of last season, overcame a 19-month absence to take the Boomerang Animal Bedding And Boomerang Horse & Country Store Chase at Thurles.
The exciting grey gelding won the Weatherbys Champion Bumper in 2012, and 12 months later again made all to beat My Tent Or Yours in the William Hill Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The 11/8 chance adopted his usual prominent role but was joined in the air over the penultimate fence by both Lord Windermere — the 2014 Gold Cup winner coming off a similar lengthy lay-off — and Roi Des Francs
The latter didn’t help his chance with a mistake at this fence, and Champagne Fever maintained a slight advantage over Lord Windermere on the run-in.
Ruby Walsh ’s mount had a head to spare at the line, with Roi Des Francs a creditable three lengths back in third considering he was giving the first two 10lb. Wounded Warrior dropped away after a slow jump three out to finish a further 13 lengths adrift in fourth.
This 2m6f Listed race win completed a quick double for Walsh and Willie Mullins, who said "He ran a good race for his first run back which he always does.
"I'll probably look for a similar type race for him next over 2m4f. I think the John Durkan might come too soon and I might also look for something easier than that.
"We'll see how he comes out of this but he might go for something Grade 2 or 3. He was keen and that's why I might drop him back in trip. I thought 2m6f on today's ground is as much as he wants.
"We have got him to stay in the past but I'm not sure it agrees with him and he might be better off on a shorter trip.
"I don't know if I can see him being competitive at Grade 1 level again but we'll see. I'm hoping he could be like Ballycasey and be rejuvenated."
(TW & AM)
