Easter Hunt wins dramatic beginners chase

Easter Hunt won an incident packed Stena Line Beginners Chase scoring under Shane Crimin for Mouse Morris. Tiger Bay Lady was sent off the 9/4 favourite but she refused to race and was left at the start.

Easter Hunt raced in clear lead until he was reeled in by Gold Patrol and Officer Cadet as they turned into the straight for the final time.

Gold Patrol soon hit the front and he looked set for victory but he jinked after the second last and unseated Sean Flanagan.

Officer Cadet and Easter Hunt battled out the finish from there with the latter getting on top on the run-in, going on to score by two and a quarter lengths.

The winner proved friendless with punters and having opened at 11/2 last night he went off a 12/1 chance.

Officer Cadet was returned at 5/1 under David Mullins for Gordon Elliott while Valentino's Choice was a further four lengths back in third under Andrew Lynch for Vincent Halley. Is Love Alive was sent off the 5/2 second favourite but he disappointingly pulled up before the fourth last.

Easter Hunt was providing owners Gigginstown House Stud with a double on the card having earlier took the feature with Arnaud

It was also the second race in succession where Gigginstown runners finished first and second.

Shane Crimin said afterwards: "I kinda fancied him. He gave me a good feel the last day and Mouse had him spot on.

"The last day we were confident about him. He kept battling today."