Arverne and Luke Dempsey © Photo Healy Racing
Gavin Cromwell and Luke Dempsey completed a double on the evening when Arverne made virtually all in the Follow Kilbeggan On Instagram Handicap Chase.
The JP McManus-owned gelding had gained his only previous win over nearly 3m2f on testing ground at Punchestown but had dropped right down the ratings.
The 9/1 chance enjoyed life out in front and took control from before the last before staying on strongly to beat Swiss Brid by five-and-a-half lengths. Trans Wood was a further nine lengths back in third.
Cromwell said, “He’s a frustrating horse. I thought a couple of years ago he was going to be a real good horse and here we are back into a 0-95.
“I’m delighted to see him get his head in front. He’s a bit of a character and everyone loves him at home.
“I’ve always thought he was a bit slow and lacking a gear but he enjoys dictating it in front. He jumped well and got into a rhythm.
“He’s in again at Limerick on Wednesday so we’ll see what the handicapper does and how he comes out of this.”
Cromwell and Dempsey earlier combined with the odds-on Minella Youngy in a maiden hurdle.
