Far Away So Close eases to victory under Davy Russell© Photo Healy Racing
With the defections of Benefficient (coughing), Tofino Bay (going) and Rockshandy (stone bruise), the Grade 3 Pricewaterhousecoopers Chase turned into a match between Far Away So Close and New Phase
Far Away So Close was 9/1 last night with Paddy Power, while New Phase was 50’s, but as a result of the non-runners, the market changed drastically, with the former going off the 1/5 favourite, while the latter was sent to post a 7/2 chance.
The long odds-on ‘jolly’ made a mistake at the second, but he had no trouble from there as he easily disposed of his solitary rival, going clear before the third last, with good jumps at the final two fences sealing the deal as he came home forty-two lengths to the good.
Davy Russell was due to ride Tofino Bay, but when that one came out he switch to the other Gigginstown representative, the winner, Far Away So Close.
James Nolan, assistant trainer to his brother Paul, said afterwards: "He has been a great money spinner. Hopefully he will be okay as he has had leg trouble in the past.
"You could call him frustrating but he is always in the money and he never runs a bad race. I just hope he is okay in the morning.
"Davy said he wasn’t having a cut at his fences. He would prefer more of an ease in the ground.
"We will have a talk with Eddie and Michael (O'Leary) now to see where he goes next, but he will probably stick to the conditions race and maybe go for a few handicaps.
"Today was the stroke of the century!"
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
