Followmeuptocarlow and Paul Townend clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
Followmeuptocarlow gained a deserved win over fences when taking the Kedrah House Stud ‘Well Chosen’ Beginners Chase for trainer Tom Foley and rider Paul Townend.
The 11-year-old gelding has won four times over hurdles in the past but proved frustrating to follow over fences last term filling the runner-up spot on four occasions including a €50,000 handicap at Gowran Park.
However the 9/4 chance finally went one better here with Townend waiting until after two out before sending him to the front.
A fine jump at the last sealed the victory, although the veteran was kept right up to his work on the run-in by Townend to beat 11/10 favourite Clonbanan Lad by six lengths.
The front-running Smokey Joe Joe could find no extra in the straight to finish a further 17 lengths adrift in fourth.
Foley said, “We’ve been trying a long time but he was always getting beaten by a good one. We were in two minds about whether to come here or to go to Punchestown on Saturday.
“I was thinking yesterday at declaration time we had made the wrong decision as I was hoping a few of these wouldn’t have been declared. He’ll go on his holidays now.”
(TW & AM)
