Call The Tune a sweet winner for Connell

Jumping is the name of the game and Call The Tune got it right at the last to seal victory in the Gibney's Handicap Chase over three miles at Navan.

He blotted his copybook when making a mistake in fourth at the third last, however, he was much better and much closer at the next.

He touched down in third and was back on the bridle for Donie McInerney (winning spare ride) as he challenged Conquredalofeurope before the last.

Conquredalofeurope stuttered into it and got it all wrong while Call The Tune grabbed the lead and nimbly sailed over it to land full of running.

He was kept up to his work to score by a couple of lengths to justify 5/2 favouritism.

Conquredalofeurope came in second at 4/1 with Thunderosa half a length further back in third at 14/1.

Trainer Barry Connell said: “We were a bit surprised in Naas as we didn't think he was as forward as he was and that left him spot on for today.

“The step up to three miles on heavy ground, that's his gig. He's not the quickest in the world but he jumps effectively.

“There is a grand race for him in three weeks, a Grade B novice handicap chase over three miles.

That was the plan if we came here today and won, and maybe got up a little in the handicap.

“It was his first run in a handicap last time and he maybe just lacked a bit of ring craft.

“Turning in today I thought he was going to win easily but he's a horse that just does what he has to do, but that's grand I can't complain.

“He's a lovely horse to have, he was slow to come to hand and he's only run a handful of times. He'll be a grand staying chaser and there might be a big pot in him somewhere down the road.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson