Valours continues his progress at age of 12

Valours Minion popular in the betting earlier in the day at bigger prices, was a steady 10/1 on track for the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase and he got the job done under Andrew Ring at Ballinrobe.

The twelve-year-old son of Corrouge was a revelation with the first four wins of his career last autumn, and still at the right end of the weights he got the better of Ballyfinboy on the run-in by five and a half lengths. It's All An Act and Up Sluggarh looked like they had their running done when falling independently at the second last fence.

Winning trainer Val O'Brien said of his brother Sean's veteran: "He'll stay going for the summer and he might go back over hurdles. He is rated lower over hurdles. He likes a strong pace in his races."

(DM & EM)