Dick Dundee, left, beating Beneficial Spirit at Listowel© Photo Healy Racing
The lengths Dick Dundee took out of the field with a superb jump at the third last stood him in good stead as he won the Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase by a fast-diminishing neck.
That jump enabled him to scoot round the home bend clear of the pursuers. However, Beneficial Spirit started to motor and after the last was gaining all the time on Dick Dundee, but narrowly missed out on the first prize.
The winner’s SP was 12/1 and he gave jockey Mikey Fogarty his third winner from his fifth ride since turning professional. Beneficial Spirit was returned at 7/1 in second under Kevin Sexton. The Shepherd King at 7/2 took third some eight lengths back from the battle for the win.
Successful trainer Paul Nolan said: “He stopped like he was shot at Perth the last day. The last few runs the ground had been a little bit quick for him so he wasn’t letting himself down on it. A little bit of juice helped him today.
“His jumping won it for him and no doubt he has improved for going chasing. He had been off the track for a while with tendon injuries. When he won his point-to-point he looked decent.
"I thought three of four out he might win easily. He's had plenty of problems and it's good to win with him. He had loads of ability as a youngster and sometimes they don't get a second or third chance." Galloping Gander the 10/3 favourite, was fifth for Tony Martin and Ruby Walsh.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
