There was opening-race drama in Naas' five-runner Grade 3 Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase today as Thedevilscoachman (100/30) was awarded victory in the stewards' room, despite passing the post in second place.

Racing away from the second-last, Thedevilscoachman, under Bryan Cooper, moved to challenge between both Ramillies (13/8f) and Amirite (7/2) but was quickly checked as Ramillies, under Paul Townend, moved right.

Thedevilscoachman was impeded twice between the final two fences and jumped the last in third, but finished strongly and failed by a neck to catch Ramillies. Amirite received a bump approaching the last but faded on the run-in to finish third.

The amended result was announced as horses gathered in the parade ring for the second race, with the J.P. McManus-owned Thedevilscoachman awarded victory and Townend receiving a caution from the stewards.

Thedevilscoachman's successful trainer Noel Meade said “Noel Meade:- “I know I'm biased but I think it was the right decision. What probably made the decision was when Paul jumped the second-last he came over in front of him.

“You could say why didn't he (Cooper) go round him but he never actually had a chance to go around him because once Paul blocked him up, he had nowhere to go except to keep going straight.

“Rachael (Blackmore, on Amirite) came out and Paul went in (at the last) but I think he was the best horse.”

He added “I'll have to talk to JP and Frank (Berry, McManus' racing manager) before I can say where he's going to go next because I don't know. Frank is away on holidays with the boss. I do think wherever he goes, he does need soft ground, that's essential.

I think that Cheltenham mightn't be soft enough for him, if it was good ground there. We might even be thinking more of a handicap there, that might be an idea.

“I didn't put him in the National Hunt Chase, I put him in the Brown Advisory instead as I think three miles is far enough for him.

“He jumped great today, Bryan rode him around Navan the other day and he was brilliant. He jumped a round of the track there and quickened up over the last three, he was really good. I was keen that if Mark (Walsh,, injured) wasn't able to ride him that Bryan would ride because he did jump very well for him.”

Betfair cut Thedevilscoachman's odds to 12/1 for Cheltenham's Brown Advisory Chase.

Ramillies' trainer Willie Mullins wasn't present but his assistant David Casey had spoken before the enquiry result was called, saying “there was a bit of race riding at the back of the second-last and I think Paul just held his position.”

He added “he's (Ramillies) a grand horse and stays well. He seems to have put it together better over fences than he did over hurdles. He's in the National Hunt Chase and to me he looks like a horse for that but the trainer will make the decision.

“He did it well and Paul said he was happy all the way around.”

Quotes from Gary Carson