Castafiore Park and Sean O'Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
Castafiore Park stayed on best in the closing stages to land the spoils in good style in the Rainbow Communications Handicap Chase at Down Royal.
Sean O'Keeffe produced his mount to battle it out after the third last and she had an advantage jumping the last fence.
The Paul Nolan-trained mare galloped on strongly in the closing stages to post a four-and-three-quarter length win over 9/4 favourite Guided By You
The 7/2 winner was landing a significant gamble having been as big as 16/1 this morning. She was making her seasonal debut having been last seen finishing mid-division at Limerick in March.
Nolan said: "She was disappointing last year. She has done it reasonably well - she looked like she was in trouble as the second horse had her covered everywhere but she galloped well to the line and jumped well.
"Compared to her hurdle mark she had that little bit, but she was just disappointing over fences and that's why she has the mark she has. Thankfully she won.
"She stayed at it well, she stays all day. She's not quick but hopefully she will stick to handicapping and we will see where we go.
"She could go for something like the National Trial in Punchestown as she wants a trip. She handles soft ground and I'm just happy to get a win over fences with her."
Sean O'Keefe added: "She has a great attitude and she stuck at it when I got after her.
"She stays very well and loves that ground. She's a proper winter mare."
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
