The Parishioner upsets the odds

The Parishioner put a disappointing effort at Punchestown last time behind him to record an 11/1 surprise in the Dunsany Handicap Chase at Navan.

Jody McGarvey 's mount travelled well to challenge at the penultimate fence, and led before the last in this 2m1f race.

He was driven out in the closing stages to prevail by a length and a quarter from Rolling Rocket with West Council another two and a quarter lengths back in third. Mr Cosmopolitan and Barry Cash both appeared none the worse for a fall at the last when still in with place prospects.

Winning trainer John Kiely said, "He surprised me as I didn't think he'd handle the ground and he hadn't been running well.

"A lot of mine weren't running well and apart from Carlingford Lough I haven't had a winner since September. He'll run on until the ground gets hard."

(GC & AM)