Osana clears a fence on his way to victory under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Osana made it five from five for favourite backers at Ballinrobe this evening as he recorded his first win in over two and a half year in the Water Towers Chase for trainer Edward O’Grady with Mark Walsh in the saddle.
The 2008 Champion Hurdle runner-up won two novice chases at Navan in late 2009 but then went on a losing streak of eighteen runs without a victory.
However he had run some cracking races (second in two Grade 1 chases and third in the Arkle) during that time but lost his way after disappointing on his first five efforts this year.
After finishing second to Caim Hill in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan and a respectable eighth in the Galway Plate last time out he was well fancied to get back to winning ways this evening and he went to post the 11/8 favourite.
Regal D’estruval adopted his usual front running tactics as the 10yo winner settled in second.
Osana then headed him before the second last and kept on well from there to record a comfortable five length success. Sports Line hinted at a return to form by staying on well to take second at 8/1 for Paul Flynn and Tom Doyle while Imperial Shabra was a further length back in third.
Frank Berry, racing manager for JP McManus, said afterwards: "It is nice to get a race like that. Conditions suited him.
"He ran a respectable race in the Galway Plate and he could go back to Galway now or maybe wait for Listowel."
(On-course reporting by Eamonn Murphy)
