J P McManus was on hand at Thurles to see his colours carried to success by Close Shave in a typically incident-packed www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase.

The well-backed 11/10 favourite Carrig Cathal didn’t get any further than the first where Jack Kennedy was unseated, and a 50/1 shock looked on the cards as Adimelo led approaching the final fence.

However Barry Geraghty got a strong finishing burst out of Close Shave on the run-in, and the 9/4 chance had three quarters of a length to spare at the line. De Name Escapes Me who was hampered by a faller with a circuit to go, was a further eight lengths away in third.

Tyrrell’s Succes had relinquished the lead when a faller at the last.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said, "He avoided all the trouble and there was a lot of it in the race and he did it well and stays well. He is built for the game and the step up in trip helped and I'm delighted with him. We'll see where we go with him now."

(TW & AM)