Former Grade One-winner Gilgamboa justified favouritism in the hunters' chase at Down Royal.

Enda Bolger 's nine-year-old gelding mounted his challenge before the second last where he took a narrow lead.

The 5/4 chance kept on best from the last to beat Jim Dreaper's Venitien De Mai (9/2) into second.

There was a nine-length gap back to Dreaper's Sizing Coal in third at 4/1.

Jockey Nina Carberry, in the JP McManus silks, said: "He travelled very well the whole way and he jumped brilliantly. He's still probably holding a little bit for himself, hopefully.

"Hopefully he can go again, he seems to have a little spark back. He'll have to go up again in grade but he couldn't have done it any better."