Cossack Chach and JJ Slevin© Photo Healy Racing
The Joseph O'Brien trained Cossack Chach stayed on strongly under JJ Slevin to register a somewhat unlikely win in the Lough Gill Beginners Chase at Sligo.
Despite being sent off 2/1, O'Brien's only runner on the card, looked to have a mountain to climb when a distant fourth after two out.
Keith Donoghue, who had built up a commanding early lead on Hypotenus was still at least 15 lengths to the good as the chasing pack left the back straight.
With the leader beginning to tire turning for home, both Valsorpresa and Cossack Chach closed the gap.
Leading over the final fence, Hypotenus was collared over 150 yards out by the Churchill gelding who went on to win by three-and-three-quarter lengths. Incidentally, the winner was a first for the sire over fences.
JJ Slevin said: "Keith's lad (Donoghue, on Hypotenus) is forward-going and we went pretty fast. I was to the pin of my collar a lot of the way and staying has won it for him in the end.
"I knew going to the fourth-last, with the rhythm he was in, that he was going to come home and be involved anyway. Getting the four-year-old allowance was a help too.
"He's big scopey lad. I always thought he'd make a chaser and it's nice to get a win out of him. I think he'll have no bother going up in trip.
"He liked the ground but was second in Down Royal last November, so will handle a dig in it too."
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan.
