Bryan Cooper and Le Grand Chene with winning connections© Photo Healy Racing
Le Grand Chene got up close home to win the Celebrity Judges Handicap Chase, providing his trainer Gordon Elliott with a double on the card.
A six time winner in the UK the son of Turgeon only made his debut for Elliott at Fairyhouse last month, finishing down the field in the race won by Boss Croaker.
Available at 6/1 this morning he opened on-course at 11/2 before going off the 5/1 second favourite.
Settled in mid-division he made progress into fifth after six out and he made further progress into a share of second before three out.
He was pushed along to challenge on the approach to the second last and while he looked set for second on the run-in he kept on gamely in the closing stages, getting up to score by a head. Halls Bridge who was prominent throughout and led from four out, had to settle for second under Ger Fox for Shane Ryder while Waltz Legend was four and three parts of a length back in third under Danny Mullins for Liam Lennon at 10/1.
Bryan Cooper said afterwards: "I had plenty of horse. He's tough and is an out-and-out stayer. This place wouldn't be ideal for him."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
