Aforementioned & Brouder take incident-packed Munster National

The JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase turned into an incident packed affair, with Aforementioned eventually coming out on top under Gavin Brouder.

A false start was quickly followed by the fall of Doctor Duffy and Davy Russell at the first, with Brouder performing a minor miracle to stay aboard the winner after they were hampered.

The final fence was then bypassed on the next two circuits with Russell receiving treatment.

Settled behind the leaders thereafter, Aforementioned (a well-backed 6/1 chance) was pushed along from the usual four out, but responded well when ridden and edged to the front on the approach to the straight.

Pressed by Portmore Lough on the approach to the last, the Gordon Elliott trained victor found more on the run-in and he forged clear in the closing stages, going on to score by two and a half lengths in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.

Portmore Lough (33s to 20s) had to settle for second under Simon Torrens for John Kiely, while Westerner Point (25/1) was another six and a half lengths back in third. Moyhenna (10/1) completed the placings in fourth, while Walk Away who was sent off the 10/3 favourite, fell six out.

Just nine of the sixteen who set out managed to complete the course.

Brouder said afterwards: "That's definitely a career highlight and I grew up dreaming of these big days as a jockey.

"I had a very bad concussion from a fall (from today's runner-up Portmore Lough) at the Galway Festival and I was lucky to just get away with that.

"Today's race panned out beautifully for him and it happened easily for him."

STEWARDS REPORT

P. Townend, rider of The West's Awake trained by E. J. O'Grady, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes