Hayes the man with Kilbeggan double

Brian Hayes brought up a 48 and a half to one Kilbeggan double when Abolitionist landed a gamble for owner Paul Holden and trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon in the Belvedere House & Gardens Handicap Chase.

Earlier a winner on Michael Bowe's Aunt Alice Abolitionist jumped through on the inner to lead from the last, in this three mile one event, and he went on to defeat Thelobstercatcher and Perfect Promise by a length and three parts and half a length.

There wasn't much room at the business end and fourth home Western Promise was squeezed up when beaten on the run-in.

Backed from 5s into 7/2 on track, and bigger earlier, Abolitionist prompted Hanlon to say: "The better ground was a big help to him. He was maybe a little bit lucky getting up the inside.

"I said to him the ground on the inside was worth a lot and to stay in behind and stay on the rail. He followed it to the letter!

"The owner will be thrilled as he had a few quid on him this morning."

B.J. Cooper, rider of Behemoth trained by Paul Nolan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount pulled up lame.

(GC & EM)