Michael Graham
Fill The Tank fills his boots
Fill The Tank, near side, eyes Mister Bells at the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Fill The Tank finished his race off powerfully to win the three mile one handicap chase in Kilbeggan for handler Aengus King.
The 6/1 chance had the leaders well in sight jumping three out and the penultimate fence.
Cathal Landers pushed his mount into third racing round the bend to the final fence. He gave him one backhnader and produced him three wide to challenge.
He moved into second and was almost on terms with the leader Mister Bells jumping the last. The seven-year-old gelding, in first-time cheekpieces, landed in the lead and surged home on the short run-in by five lengths. Runner-up Mister Bells was an 11/1 chance. Goodnightngodbless took third at 9/2.
King said: “He won his point-to-point and didn’t progress from it at the time so he’s well overdue his win.
“I only have a few as a permit holder but all the horses in the yard seem to be coming right at the moment.
“He’s a big horse and we thought soft ground would suit him but he travels away on that.
“He was second to John Ryan’s mare (Fairyhill Run) at Limerick and was better off by 10lb at the weights today.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee