Meade & Flanagan double-up with Genie

After winning the opener with The Rory Story Sean Flanagan and Noel Meade doubled-up with A Genie In Abottle in the Ryans Cleaning Chase.

A good fifth in the four miler at Cheltenham in March, the son of Beneficial was last seen finishing third to stable mate Disko in the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown in April.

Available at 5/2 in early shows, the Gigginstown House Stud owned six-year-old eventually went off a 6/4 chance, with Arbre De Vie the 5/4 favourite.

Sent straight to the front by Flanagan, the bay victor jumped well throughout and made all. He was pressed from two out, but found plenty for pressure on the run-in, going on to score by two and a half lengths. Mala Beach who proved friendless with punters (4s in early shows and from 10s to 12s on-course), finished second under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott, while Call The Taxie was six and a half lengths back in third.

The aforementioned favourite dropped off the leaders before two out, and came home another thirty-seven lengths away in fourth.

Meade said afterwards: "He likes the hill and the heavy ground and when the going gets tough, the tough get going! That describes him well as he's not the quickest in the world but he'll stay going for you and keep trying and trying and trying.

"He had some very good form last year, even his run behind Disko was a good run on goodish ground whereas on that ground today he takes a bit of beating, especially over a trip.

"He'll probably be entered in the Grade 1 Nicholson Chase in Down Royal but maybe the Troytown Chase is the race for him. It'll be heavy ground at Navan and that might be his job and might be a more realistic target."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Arbre De Vie (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be distressed post race.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes