Plasterer lands thriller in Arkle

Forpadydeplasterer hung on gamely to claim a narrow victory in the Arkle Chase.

Barry Geraghty survived an early scare at the third fence when the favourite Tatenen fell right in front of him.

The rider was going so well turning into the straight, however, that he afforded a quick glance over his shoulder.

But Graham Lee made a late lunge on Ferdy Murphy's Kalahari King (8-1), with the official margin a short head.

Geraghty had in 2002 won the race on Moscow Flyer and probably could not believe how well Tom Cooper's seven-year-old (8-1) was travelling compared to his rivals.

Having finished second in three Grade Ones earlier this season, he was entitled to run a big race.

But supporters had their hearts in their mouths when Kalahari King began to move up the gears after the last.

The likes of Tartak, Follow The Plan, Made In Taipan and Cornas were all vying for places but Planet Of Sound emerged the best, another five lengths adrift of the winner.

Calgary Bay made a blunder three out and could never get back on terms.

Geraghty said: "I enjoyed that. It was very good.

"If you close on the second-last, he jumped out from the wings and again at the last. He's a lovely horse.

"Those two jumps clinched it.

"It was tight enough at the third-last and I didn't want to send him racing early, so we just popped the third-last."

It was two from two for Irish-trained horses following Go Native's victory in the opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle.