Jumping was the name of the game in the two and a half miles beginners chase where the John Joe Walsh-trained Island Wood landed some nice bets in the hands of Kevin Coleman.
In fairness the well-supported 5/2 favourite, available at twice those odds this morning, appeared to be travelling best into the straight before his rivals were let down by their jumping. Big Secret who was just being niggled along on the heels of the leaders, crashed out at the second last before John The Soldier made the winner's task that bit easier when meeting the last wrong.
Island Wood was pushed out to beat the latter by three and a half lengths, with Lismakeery the same distance further adrift in third.
“He was entitled to win that on figures, and will probably go handicapping now. He jumped well, and would prefer more wintry ground,” said successful trainer Walsh.
