Cavite Beta toughs it out in Galway

Cavite Beta fought back on the run-in to get up and nail Mister Hotelier late on in the SanServ Rated Novice Chase over two miles one at Galway.

The eight-year-old Old Vic gelding got on terms with leader Pumbaa at the second last. He was narrowly second jumping the final fence before settling down to a battle with Pumbaa and Mister Hotelier on the long run round the home bend and up the hill to the finishing line.

Mister Hotelier appeared to have ground the other two down as the line loomed, but Cavite Beta found another gear and responded to Johnny Burke to collar him and win by half a length at odds of 10/3. Mister Hotelier was returned at 7/1.

Successful trainer Jim Dreaper said: “My daughter keeps giving out to me for downplaying him, but I’m just telling the truth and that’s not fashionable now!

“That’s as good as he is. He’s a good ground horse who’ll have the winter off. We’ll keep him going as long as the ground is okay.” Un Beau Roman the 7/4 favourite, was in touch in fourth place when he fell at the second last.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes