Grand Partner and Sean O Keeffe (near) come to lead at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Grand Partner swept clear on the run-in to claim the Irish Stallions Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase in fine style at Leopardstown.
Sean O'Keeffe produced his mount to challenge travelling well going to the last in the two-mile-one contest.
Tom Mullins' charge jumped into the lead over the final fence and soon quickened away to post a seven length victory. Prospecus ran on well close home to claim the runner-up spot.
The 6/1 winner, now a 12-year-old, was recording his fifth course success, adding to two on the Flat and two over hurdles.
Mullins said:- “He wasn’t showing much at home and he ran respectable in Thurles.
“He lost third place in the last 50 yards at Thurles and I wasn’t that hopeful today for that reason but I had to run him because the race really suited him and he’s won four times here before.
“It’s his track so I couldn’t not run him. I’m thrilled with that and obviously he’s a lot better here. He could come back here for something on the Flat.”
(Quotes by Alan Magee)
