Toss Again (centre) pictured on his way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Toss Again recorded his third career success, as he claimed the Shoe Rescue Beginners Chase under Darragh O'Keeffe.
Third in a point-to-point when trained by Sean Doyle, the Malinas gelding was twice successful over flights last season and was a respectable seventh of 25 when last since in a Grade B contest at the Punchestown Festival.
On his first racecourse start over fences this evening, the six-year-old was sent off a 3/1 chance and raced mainly in second, jumping well throughout in the colours of Envirogreen Housing Services Ltd.
Sent to the front before two out, he was soon ridden and kept on well in the closing stages, with a length-and-three-quarters the margin of victory.
Returned the 15/8 favourite, The Friday Man had to settle for second under Keith Donoghue for Gordon Elliott, while the Charles Byrnes-trained Grozni (8/1) finished two lengths back in a never nearer third.
"I rode him one day in Downpatrick and I said that he'd be some horse when he goes chasing and I was right because he winged fences," O'Keeffe divulged.
"We were hoping fences would improve him that bit. It's great that he won and jumped brilliantly the whole way. He loves nice ground and is one to look forward to."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
