Captain Guinness and Rachael Blackmore jumping the last© Photo Healy Racing
Captain Guinness placed on his last two starts in Grade 1 company, appreciated a drop in class to justify 5/4 favouritism in the Grade 3 BetVictor Chase at Naas this afternoon.
The absence of Darasso (off feed) meant just three went to post and Cash Back made most of the running from stablemate Blackbow with Rachael Blackmore electing to hold up the favourite behind the Willie Mullins-trained pair.
Cash Back made a slight mistake at the third last and a worse one at the next where Captain Guinness jumped to the front.
Blackmore kept the favourite right up against the stands’ side rail and kept on strongly on the run-in to beat Blackbow by two-and-three-quarter lengths.
Cash Back could find no extra finishing a further eight-and-a-half lengths back in third.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead said, "I was worried about the ground but it looked like a good opportunity and he stayed at it well. Rachael walked the track, was where she wanted to be and she was spot on, fair play to her.
"We decided we'd give Cheltenham a miss this year and have a go at this and luckily it worked out. I'm delighted to see him win another one.
"Once we switched out of the Champion Chase, today was the day and I'll speak to Declan (Landy, owner) now. We were toying with the idea of stepping him up to 2m4f at Aintree and the Webster Cup is an option, but is less than two weeks away.
"Unfortunately he had been on the same course as Energumene as a novice but he's only a young horse and I'm sure we'll head over to Cheltenham next year."
(TW & AM)
