Auvergnat lands over the last in charge© Photo Healy Racing
JP McManus had a battalion of runners in the Grade B Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown and it was his Auvergnat who delivered at 28/1.
The eight-year-old gelding in first-time blinkers really relished the extended three mile trip in this valuable handicap.
He was last in winning form in the La Touche Cup at Punchestown in April.
“He'll have a penalty for the La Touche now anyway!” said trainer Enda Bolger.
“He travelled so sweet. Last week we put blinkers on him because he ran in a couple of hurdle races and ran terrible lazy.
“He was on fire everywhere today. Even though Donie (McInerney) lost his whip on the run-in he didn't need it.
“It's a pleasant surprise but he was always showing that there was one of those type of races in him.
“He'll probably go to the cross-country in Cheltenham and we'll see after that.
“This is where we want to be and it goes to show how good those La Touche races can be as well.
“Today is different and it will be well celebrated tonight.”
Auvergnat beat Vieux Morgan (33/1) by six and a half lengths with Fitzhenry (25/1) third and 6/1 chance Solmn Grundy in fourth.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
