Shattered Love and Mark Walsh pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
The Neville Hotels Novice Chase produced yet more drama at Leopardstown, with Shattered Love eventually coming home in front under Mark Walsh for Gordon Elliott. Monalee was sent off the even money favourite for this Grade 1 contest, but he fell six out, bringing down Rathvinden while Dinaria Des Obeaux was badly hampered.
Shattered Love, who raced in second, actually took up the running at that sixth last obstacle. She was ridden as they bypassed the last, and kept on well from there, going on to score by a length and three parts.
Gordon Elliott also supplied the second horse home, and that was Jury Duty who was returned at 6/1 (from 8s) under Robbie Power.
The Willie Mullins trained Bon Papa (12/1) completed the placings another sixteen lengths back in third with Barry Geraghty in the saddle.
Elliott said afterwards: "She's a big honest mare. She handled that better ground way better than I thought she would. Mark said she loved it and jumped from fence to fence.
"She was a little bit fortunate as there were a few fallers but that's just the game. She galloped the whole way to the line.
"We're lucky we've got a few nice horse at the minute so we're delighted. Jury Duty ran well in second as well.
"We'll have to have a think about it and see where she goes now. She's got plenty of different options. She handles that ground well, she jumps and she stays. She's a nice one to have."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
