Charlie Swan's stable star Emmpat landed another good prize at Roscommon, but lady luck was certainly smiling on the veteran in the Kilbegnet EBF Novice Chase.
The 11-year-old still retains plenty of enthusiasm and most of his ability and this victory took his career earnings to around the & euro;250,000 mark.
At his peak he won a Scottish Champion Hurdle and has turned his hand to chasing at a relatively late stage in life.
He ran twice at the recent Listowel Festival, winning on the second occasion, but looked booked for second in the Grade Three event as Paul Flynn's Kalellshan held a healthy advantage on approaching the final fence.
However, Mike Darcy's mount crumpled on landing enabling David Casey to guide Emmpat (5-2) past his stricken rival for an unlikely victory.
"I had Kalellshan covered when he fell!" joked Casey.
"The ground was fine for Emmpat but he felt a little flat today - perhaps the couple of quick runs at Listowel took its toll on him."
Pat Flynn was in double form with Prince Chaparral (10-1) in the Ballyleague Maiden and Galianna (6-1) in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
Flynn was not in attendance but jockey Danny Grant said of Prince Chaparral: "He is still a bit weak but did it well - he'd prefer more of a dig in the ground though."
Galianna was partnered by rising star Gary Carroll and the victory enabled him to move eight clear in his battle with Shane Foley for the Apprentice Title.
Worse news for Foley came when he was given a nine-day ban for causing a nasty incident in the Athlone Handicap.
Both Keyala (Robbie Burke) and Spavento (Rory Cleary) came down and Foley was adjudged to be the guilty party. Both jockeys were taken to Roscommon Hospital.
The race was won by Marcus Callaghan's Patrickswell (14-1) in a three-way photo-finish.
The most impressive winner on the card was the John Oxx newcomer Keredari (6-1) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Winning jockey Mick Kinane said: "He did that very well and will make into a nice prospect."
