Foildubh (right) jumps the last ahead of Days Hotel © Photo Healy Racing
After finishing second on four occasions this season, Foildubh gained a deserved big race success, as he took the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase under Paul Carberry for John Ryan.
The 9yo son of Woods Of Windsor finished second on his last two outings, in the Red Mills Chase behind Chicago Grey and the Tied Cottage Chase behind Sizing Europe.
Having opened at 3/1 overnight with Paddy Powers, he opened on track at just 2/1 before being backed further into 7/4 at the off.
After racing in third for much of the contest he went second entering the straight with the 5/6 favourite Days Hotel leading under Andrew Lynch for Henry De Bromhead.
Foildubh was then pushed into the lead before the last and he stayed on well on the run-in to score comfortably by a length and three parts.
Days Hotel had to settle for second with Lead Kindly Light a further nine lengths back in third at 14/1. Bob Lingo who attempt to make all, trailed in last of the four, nine and a half lengths behind.
John Ryan said afterwards: "He is a fair horse on good ground and Paul said he won on the bridle. He never got that ground before in those good races. He seems to find another gear on it.
"He is in again at Navan on Saturday but he will hardly go there. He will probably go for the Grade 1 at Punchestown now.
"I’m delighted that Paul was on him as he has been riding for me for a long time."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
