After Aspen, right, delivers in Naas© Photo Healy Racing
After Aspen found plenty for JJ Slevin to pop up at 11/1 in the novice handicap chase over two and a half miles at Naas.
The six-year-old gelding raced just behind the pace on the inner and was well placed in third sweeping round the home bend.
He jumped the penultimate fence in a close fourth but found himself third when State Of Origin crashed out.
After Aspen was soon ridden by Slevin to hunt down Spancil Hill and Simple Steps
He made good progress to jump the last in second and stayed on stoutly to collar Spancil Hill on the run-in.
The win was secured by three and a quarter lengths. Spancil Hill took the runner-up berth at 20/1.
The front two had the race to themselves from the last as there was a 12-length gap back to Simple Steps (10/1).
Trainer Liz Doyle said: "He has run a blinder first time out for the past two years. He ran some great races last year, about three great races and four or five shockers.
“I said ‘I’m going to get you first time out this year’ so I got him plenty fit, put on a 7lb-claimer and said ‘kitchen sink job’.
“He goes well fresh for whatever reason and was inconsistent last year. He had some great runs thrown in randomly and then just got too much at the end of the season.
“He’s not a bad horse and is a full-brother to King Leon.
“JJ is a good rider and great value for his 7lb. The 7lb made the difference between winning and losing today.
“We’ll probably leave him for a while now.”
After Aspen sported cheekpieces for the first time today.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
