Quick double for Howard as Winter Escape bounces back to form

The McManus colours were to the fore at Listowel on Friday with Drop The Anchor and Minella Times landing valuable prizes, and the green and gold were to the fore again in the Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase as Winter Escape (11/4 joint fav) won well in the hands of Mark Walsh.

The Robin Des Pres gelding, twice a Grade Three winner as a novice chaser, led after two out and kept on well to hold Pound A Stroke (9/1) by three lengths.

The other 11/4 joint favourite Email Rose was pulled up.

Aidan Howard ’s winner, not disgraced in mid-division on his previous outing in the Galway Plate, enjoyed the drop in trip here in a race run at a good gallop.

It was a quick across-the-cards double for the Curragh trainer after El Tren had repeated last year’s win in the Ladies Trophy at the Curragh.

The winning rider Mark Walsh commented: "It's good to see him back to something like his old self.

"He's been disappointing since his novice season, he had lost his way, but enjoyed himself today.

"He handles an ease in the ground but goes on nicer ground too, he's straightforward in that department."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes