Willie Mullins saddled the winner of the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase for the fourth time in six years as Pleasant Company benefitted from a fine ride by Ruby Walsh to land the feature at Fairyhouse. Baie Des Iles and Thunder And Roses ensured a decent pace in this 3m1f event, and Walsh elected to give his mount a patient ride on the testing ground.

The 9/4 favourite stalked former Irish National winner Thunder And Roses in the straight, as the remainder of the nine-runner field cried enough.

Mullins’ charge was only asked for a big effort after the last and responded generously to score by half a length.

There was a yawning gap of 51 lengths back to Baie Des Iles in third.

Pleasant Company leaves it late to make it two consecutive wins in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh... pic.twitter.com/2hdE1MbVgO

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 25, 2017

Mullins said, “It was hard fought. Ruby said he was going to sit quiet on him today and try be there at the business end. That's exactly what happened.

“It's very very tough going, and ground I think that he doesn't like in particular so it's fortunate to get a win like that on that ground.

“He's in Aintree and that would be his owners preferred option so that's probably where he goes. Obviously I'll enter him in the Irish National here being a course winner but I'd imagine it's Aintree.

“I'd imagine he won't be going to Cheltenham.

“Ruby looked at the race and thought there was plenty of pace. He didn't think he needed to be involved too early and took a chance but he had the confidence in the horse to come through.

“I'd imagine if he had fallen four or five out people would have said he was never going to be involved anyway. He took a view on the race. I said go ahead, do that and let's see what happens. It worked out perfectly.”

Boylesports cut Pleasant Company into 20/1 (from 33/1) for the Randox Health Grand National, and make Thunder And Roses 33/1 (from 66/1).

(GC & AM)