Conditions proved very testing on the third and final day of the St Patrick's weekend meeting, with the featured BDO Simpson Xavier Handicap Chase going to the stamina laden Back In Thyne.
There were just five runners in the absence of Joyful River and Fanion De Neulliac, but this three miles event provided a great spectacle as Mark Madden drove the locally trained gelding past The Dell on the short run-in to score by three quarters of a length.
Enda Bolger's charge, successful earlier this month in the Ulster National at Downpatrick, may now bid for the E10,000 bonus on offer to both the owner and trainer for winning that race and the Irish National at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday.
The David Austin Memorial Novice Handicap Chase is a possible target for Pikachu Blue, who landed the Ladies Day Novice Chase under John Cullen. 'He would be better suited by a stiffer track,' commented trainer Sue Bramall afterwards.
Kapok appreciated the mud in the opening Arctic Spas 'Outdoor Home Company' Hurdle, easing to the front early in the straight for Barry Geraghty to beat Royal Plaisir by a length and a half.
Alan Donoghue partnered his second winner aboard the always prominent Penybont in the Limerick Live 95FM Handicap Hurdle. Bentota Beach, the well-backed 7/4 favourite, unseated Charlie Swan when challenging at the final flight before Penybont held off On The Jetty by a neck.
Alan Magee
