Final fence faller hands Skipper victory

There was a dramatic conclusion to the Flower Hill Beginners Chase at Navan today as clear leader Fascino Rustico slithered to an agonising final fence fall, leaving Arctic Skipper to pick up the pieces and win for trainer Vincent Halley and jockey Andrew Lynch.

Fascino Rustico, which was bought for Stg310,000 following his bumper debut win in 2012, was making his debut today for trainer Gordon Elliott having been purchased for Stg10,000 last summer and only had the final fence to negotiate when coming down at the last.

Arctic Skipper had given chase for much of the home straight and in the end benefited from the final fence fall, eventually holding the challenge of Champagne James on the run-in.

Afterwards Halley stated “he was a little bit lucky. Andrew said he was racing a bit lazy but in fairness he was staying on in the straight.

“The stiff course here suits him and we might step him up to three miles next time as he's an out-and-out three miler.

“We'll leave him for a while and freshen him up and hopefully he keeps improving.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson