Competitive has the Edge

Competitive Edge won with plenty to spare as he cruised home in the closing stages to land the Shamrock Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

Mark Walsh, recording a double in the JP McManus colours following the earlier victory of Marlbrook was content to sit off the leading group as they forced the pace in the 2m2f event.

He produced the Presenting gelding to challenge at the third last and he soon hit the front.

Conor O'Dwyer's charge was in command from the next and despite an untidy jump at the last he never looked in danger as Walsh coasted home on the run-in for a six-and-a-half length win.

Orpheus Valley came through to claim the runner-up spot while 10/3 favourite Barneys Honour was third.

The winner had been backed this morning from as big as 8/1 into as low as 4/1. He proved easy to back on track, however, and drifted from 5/1 out to his return Sp of 13/2.

It was back-to-back successes for the gelding, who had got up on the line in a thriller at Leopardstown on his last start in January.

“I'm thrilled with the result. It's great to win a pot like that (€24,375 to the winner),” said O'Dywer.

“He's improving and he's only six so he's one to look forward to. To handle today's ground was a bonus. He travelled and jumped super.

“We'll look to Fairyhouse and Punchestown and he'll go into a big green field then.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)