The scene at the 3rd last as Argocat heads Bog Warrior (left), Turban (between them) and Aupcharlie (right)© Photo Healy Racing
Argocat had every chance when coming down at the last in the Grade 2 Powers Irish Whiskey Chase at Down Royal in November and he got some compensation at the same level in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran.
The 10/1 outsider of the four was another big winner for Brian O'Connell (got a whip ban, see below), following on from his win on Last Instalment in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last Sunday.
Argocat, injured ribs in that spill 'up North' and a comeback run at Thurles in the middle of last month obviously left him spot on for this assignment.
On this occasion he gave his connections and supporters another fright at the final fence when awkward, but he deserves a lot of credit on the 'draining' ground for fending off Turban by three parts of a length.
The well-backed Bog Warrior made the running but he was headed and beaten when making a mistake to dislodge Bryan Cooper from the saddle at the second last fence. At the same juncture, Aupcharlie similarly struggling at the time, fell.
Winning trainer Tom Taaffe explained: "He got all messed up when he fell in the North. He broke three ribs and he had internal injuries. We had to get his confidence back too.
"The run the last day at Thurles worked out to be Grade 1 form (Last Instalment was third there when Argocat finished sixth).
"He showed plenty of resolution there after he met the last wrong.
"It's deep ground and none of them liked it.
"I don't think he'll go to the Cotswolds. He's more of a Liverpool horse. We'll probably look at the Bowl (3m 1f Grade 1 won last year by First Lieutenant) and we may find something for him between now and then."
The Stewards interviewed B.T. O'Connell, rider of Argocat, concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10 3(f), in that he used the whip with the arm above shoulder height and having considered his record, suspended him for three race days.(AM & EM)
