Lantern back to his best in first time blinkers

First time blinkers worked a treat on Paper Lantern as he came home a comfortable winner of the Fred Kenny Lifetime Service To Racing Handicap Chase.

A heavy fog made visibility poor, with the Karl Thornton trained victor emerging in front as they appeared again after the fourth last.

The 14/1 chance kept up the gallop in the home straight, and extended his advantage from before the last, going on to score easily under Donagh Meyler. Anseanachai Cliste finished second at 20/1 under Dylan Robinson for Alan Wells, while the 9/2 favourite Out Sam was another six lengths back in third for Davy Russell and Gordon Elliott. Dinnie's Vinnie (12/1) completed the placings another half a length back in fourth for the father and son team of Philip and Luke Dempsey.

Thornton said afterwards: "There would be no point buying a DVD! We put the blinkers on him and they sharpened him up. Donagh said he was faster over his fences. Last time in Limerick the ground was just gone too tacky for him.

"He won three last year and has been starting to come back to himself. The looser ground today helped and he likes coming off a strong gallop.

"I want to go to Aintree with him but he needed to win here and go up 5 or 6lb to get into the good 3m1f handicap chase on Grand National day. If the ground is soft there it would suit him."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee