Ballyadam Approach and David Splaine have Baby Mix and Gavin Sheehan's measure© Photo Healy Racing
Fairyhouse winner Ballyadam Approach followed up under David Splaine, for trainer Terence O'Brien, and owner, Billy Horgan, in the Grade A Guinness Handicap Chase at Punchestown.
English raider Baby Mix made a bold bid here from the front under Cork native, Gavin Sheehan, but another Rebel County hope, winner, Ballyadam Approach, always had him in his sights.
The victorious lightly weighted 12/1 chance, now a ten-year-old, challenged two out and he soon led.
Ballyadam Approach then asserted from before the last, keeping on strongly on the run-in for a seven and a half length win.
O'Brien said: "He's a fair horse having broken down three times, and he had two wind operations. Only for his owner, Billy Horgan, he would hardly be here as he's had so much patience. We just gave him time.
"He did it really well today. I always thought he was a good horse, and it's the first time that we have got a run like this with him without injuries.
"We may think about the Galway Plate but he wouldn't run on fast ground over the summer. There are plenty of nice handicaps to go for next season, and to be honest I might be tempted to put him away.
"We won the Leopardstown Chase before with Farrells Fancy but this is the most valuable race I've won."
P. Townend, rider of Gold Bullet trained by T.J. Taaffe, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled and pulled up.
M.A. Enright, rider of Simply Wings trained by Richard Lee (in GB), reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly and pulled up .
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Gold Bullet, trained by T.J. Taaffe, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have sustained an injury to the right hind pastern.
(AM & EM)
