Ned gets Grade One win in stewards room

Min was thrown out in the stewards room after hampering Simply Ned in a thrilling finish to the Paddy's Reward Club Chase at Leopardstown today.

Willie Mullins charge was sent to post a 2/7 shot for the Grade One contest on day two of the Christmas festival meeting.

Things looks to be going to plan as he led for most of the two-mile one-furlong trip and jumped big at the final fence.

The veteran Simply Ned threw down a strong challenge on the run-in, however, and went for a gap on the rail, under Mark Walsh.

Min drifted over to his left and twice hampered his challenger, the second time causing a section of the rail to fly off.

There was only half a length separating the pair at the line and the stewards were called into action.

It was no surprise to most on course that the result was reversed and it gave the 10-year-old Simply Ned a first career Grade One success.

The Nicky Richards-trained 16/1 winner was making his fourth appearance in the race and had been placed on each of his three previous runs, including chasing home Flemenstar in the 2015 renewal.

Simply Ned is awarded the Grade 1 Paddy's Rewards Club Chase after interference from Min in the run-in: pic.twitter.com/Bm75glLkBw

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 27, 2017

“The other horse clearly gave him a couple of bumps and the second one was a fairly heft one,” said Richards.

“Mark came in and was adamant he would have won the race. The old horse was coming and I'd say justice has been done today.”

On winning a Grade One: “It's took a bit of doing but we got there at the end of it. He's been a great horse and we bought him up the road at Fairyhouse.

“He cost €23,000 and was for nothing really. Gerry Griffin bought him for us.

“He's been a great horse and very consistent at a high level. It's great that he'd had his day at the top.

“It will probably be the plan to come back here in February.

“Mark gave him an absolute peach of a ride. What a ride he gave him and he did absolutely everything he was asked. I asked him to ride Brian Harding up and he done everything Brian said.”