Easy Game, near side, challenges Melon at the final fence© Photo Healy Racing
Easy Game came through to pick off his stablemate Melon in the featured Grade 3 BoyleSports An Riocht Chase at Killarney to give Willie Mullins a double.
He stalked Melon before Brian Hayes rode him to try and get on terms after the second last.
The 3/1 shot was on terms at the final fence and soon led narrowly from the 13/8 favourite. He stayed on well to increase the margin to a length and a half.
Hayes said: "He has been lucky for me and that was a nice race for him. There wasn't much between him and Melon on ratings and it was probably a hard choice for Paul (Townend) to make.
"He travelled and jumped great and it was great to get it.
"Plans will obviously be left up to Willie but he was second in the Galway Plate last year."
Mullins also landed the Tote Sliabh Luachra Hurdle with Shewearsitwell
This was Easy Game's 11th victory.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
