The riderless Give Us A Hand leads the winner Wellforth over the last© Photo Healy Racing
A disappointing field of just four lined up for the Grade 3 Imperial Call Chase over three miles with the outsider of the field at 7/1 Wellforth recording a surprise win for trainer Paul Gilligan with Barry Cash aboard.
The 4/5 favourite Give Us A Hand for trainer John Berry with Adam O’Neill aboard looked the likely winner as he moved into the lead as the approached the third last but he unshipped his rider there leaving Saddler's Native under Mick Darcy in front with the winner in second.
As they raced towards the last Wellforth gained the upper hand and took a slight lead over Saddler's Native with Duroob just in behind the pair in third.
Saddler's Native gave all he could on the run-in but he just couldn’t peg back the winner who stayed on best to score by two and a quarter lengths.
The Oliver Brady trained pair of Saddler's Native and Duroob took second and third place prizemoney with the former in second at 5/1 while the latter was a further four lengths back in third at 3/1 under Adrian Heskin.
The 10yo winning son of New Frontier was recording his fifth career success this afternoon and his second over fences.
He won three handicap hurdles for Caroline Hutchinson back in the summer of 2009.
Winning trainer Paul Gilligan said afterwards: "It wasn't a great race but it's grand to be winning it.
"I'm thrilled for Barry (Cash) that is his first winner for us. He had been a massive help to us as our horses have been very sick over the last year and a half. They have been poisoned sick.
"Barry has been riding work for us and I was more than happy to have him aboard.
The winner is nothing to get excited about and he will stay in handicap chases now."
Gilligan was recording his first winner since July of last year when his Serve Time scored at Limerick.
