Sizing Rome (nearest) and Goose Man jump the last together © Photo Healy Racing
Sizing Rome recorded his third win from his last four starts, as he battled gamely under Keith Donoghue to land the Fred Kenny Lifetime Service To Racing Handicap Chase.
A winner at Punchestown in October, the Jim Dreaper trained son of Milan then finished fourth in the Cork National, before getting back to winning ways at Thurles last month.
Sent off the 4/1 favourite this afternoon, he had a good battle with Goose Man from two out, with just a length separating the pair at the line.
The runner-up was returned at 6/1 under JJ Slevin for Tom Taaffe, while Walk To Freedom (9/2) was a further four and a half lengths back in third.
Tom Dreaper, son of the winning trainer, said afterwards: "It was magic. He's a big honest old fashioned chaser and it took a while for the penny to drop.
"Jamie Codd and Lisa O'Neill were very good on him point-to-pointing and they said he'd win a handicap some day.
"I know he didn't win a national but it's still a great local race to win.
"I bumped into Keith the other day in Navan at a football match. Robbie Power had the call on him but said if Jessie had a runner he'd have to ride.
"It's a bit of a Milan trait where he gives them class but they seem to take a little bit of time.
"It's great winning a length from a handicapping point of view. He's scraped home now a couple of times.
"When I was a kid 125 would have got him into the Irish National off 10 stone but the class of the race nowadays 135 got in this race.
"If we're all still alive I'd say we'll be back here this time next year as long as the ground is that way.
"Today was the plan but we could look at some of the summer nationals as he wants good ground.
"We were clever enough to leave him off for the winter because we thought it would be heavy and it was nothing but good ground. We got that wrong and unless the heavens open he'll stay going."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards interviewed J.J. Slevin, rider of Goose Man, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found the rider in breach of Reg. 10 3.(g) (frequency) and having taken his record into account suspended him for 1 race day.
D.J. Mullins, rider of Mac N Cheese trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his reins got caught under the breast plate which affecting his steering in this race.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
