Rebel Waltz (left) and Wild Caprice jump the last together, with the latter blundering under Liam Quinlan© Photo Healy Racing
Rebel Waltz (13/2 from 33s early) landed a gamble in the Bulmers Light Beginners Chase, providing his rider Robbie Geoghegan with his first racecourse success over fences.
A dual winner in 2020, the TJ Nagle-trained nine-year-old was out of action for well over a year, only returning at Limerick last month.
Towards rear in the early stages, the Getaway chestnut soon made progress to track the leaders and improved into a close second from three out.
In a share of the lead before the next, he was ridden to the front on the run-in and held on determinedly in the closing stages to prevail by a neck, scoring in the colours of the Always On Time Partnership .
Also well-supported, Wild Caprice (11/2 from 50s early) blundered at the last when disputing the lead and she ultimately had to settle for second under Liam Quinlan for John Ryan.
The front pair were a length-and-a-half in front of Roccoroinach (11/2) in third.
Sent off the 9/4 favourite, Trendy Lady could only manage fifth, while early morning favourite Kilballyowen (3/1 from 15/8) was a well-beaten seventh.
"He got a leg (in 2022) and six weeks ago got a bad cut on his fetlock joint. Our vet Jess did a brilliant job as his fetlock was cut open and it was remarkable he was even running today," Nagle revealed.
"I fancied him, although I would have preferred to have had another week to prepare him. I couldn't understand how everyone didn't look at his early runs. He was placed in good beginners' chases in 2021 and was third to Busselton in Listowel. If he had run today, he'd have lapped them!
"It was a low class race, he loved that ground and will continue to run over hurdles and fences."
STEWARDS REPORTS
J.G. Gilligan, rider of Bonne Derreen trained by Mark John Scallan, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was coughing after pulling up during this race.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Kilballyowen, trained by A.J.Martin, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be lame on his left hind having been struck into behind.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
