'Double green' enjoying a purple patch in Ireland The feature race at Thurles was the Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase over two miles, five-and-a-half furlongs and it was all to play for on the home turn with five of the six runners still in with a chance with just one to jump. C'est Ta Chance (4/1) and Nowwhatdoyouthink went past Jalila Moriviere on the long run to the final fence and it was the former who forged clear to win by four and three-quarter lengths, completing quick doubles for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The 140-rated seven-year-old had beaten two stablemates in a three-way photo on his previous start at Gowran in January. This Grade 3 success extended the fine run of form being enjoyed in Ireland by owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, who have had five winners from their last six runners here in the course of the last six days. Townend commented "I was robbed by this horse at Gowran (beaten a short-head in second) but we won't go into that one! He was brilliant and has been a revelation over fences, as he didn't jump great over hurdles but has more respect for fences. "He is in a good vein of form now and it was a tough performance to stay going on that ground, as we were stuck in the muck behind the others. I felt I needed to get out of there and to sacrifice ground by going to the outside, and by getting clear air. "It was a good step up today, he is putting it together and while he will have to step up again, he is going the right way and showed a lovely attitude." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
