Deserved first win for Cusack's chaser

The Dabbler (2/1 fav) got up close home to land the Ballinrobe Water Towers Beginners Chase in the hands of 5lb claimer Eoin Walsh.

The Presenting gelding, sporting first-time cheekpieces, was very well in himself in the preliminaries, bucking his way around the parade ring, and jumped well on the whole as he chased the leaders from flagfall.

He seemed to get a little outpaced away from the third-last but responded well to his rider’s urgings to challenge on the run-in. He got past fancied outsider Wa Wa (22/1, from 66/1 on the show) in the final 50 yards to score by half a length.

Getting off the mark on his tenth start over fences, the winner had some solid handicap form in the book and put his experience to good use.

Winning trainer Liam Cusack said: “He’s been knocking on the door and run some smashing races. He was a bit unlucky here in the Mayo National and had a bit of a look when he hit the front.

“They did a fabulous job here with the ground. There is a lovely cushion and it’s as level as a carpet. We could have done with it being a bit slower and hopefully he’ll be ok.

“When you get an opportunity like that for horses rated 116 or less you have to take it.

“He’s a grand horse to have and it’s great to get his head in front. The owner Michael Heery bred him and he’s been a good client of mine for years. It’s lovely to get a winner for him.

“All being well he’ll be fine for some of those staying chases into the winter."

Quotes from Alan Magee