Headgear does the trick for Scoir Mear

Scoir Mear (9/2) quickly settled the issue in the Slade Handicap Chase when hitting the front off the home turn.

He readily went clear for in-form 5lb claimer Simon Torrens to beat fellow JP McManus-owned runner Spades Are Trumps by six lengths with Cusp Of Carabelli (11/1) in third place. The 4/1 joint favourites were Ask Nile (fifth) and An Fraoch Mor (pulled up).

It was a second win over fences for the successful grey who landed a big pot at Navan last year and had stayed on for fifth in the Munster National on his previous start.

Winning trainer Tom Mullins said: “I put this success down to (son) David (Mullins, rode the winner last time at Limerick).

"David said to put a pair of cheekpieces on him and that he'd probably win the next day. So, we put the cheekpieces on him and it worked a treat.

"He might go for the Porterstown Handicap Chase now next month over three mile five. We won't know how he will get on over that trip until we try him at it. Frank (Berry, racing manager) might have other ideas, we'll see."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy