Chatham House Rule leads them home in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Chatham House Rule made all and galloped away from his rivals to score in the beginners' chase at Punchestown.
Bryan Cooper sent him on from flagfall and the pair were clear jumping the third last as Marchese Marconi and Phil'S Magic came off the bridle in second and third respectively.
Cooper had a look round his shoulder as his mount travelled round the home bend. The pursuers could make no headway and a good jump from the grey at the last saw him coast in by eight-and-a-half lengths at 12/1. Phil's Magic (2/1) won the race for second from Marchese Marconi the 9/10 favourite.
Bryan Cooper said: "I think the ground was a big help to him. He was probably running okay during the winter on ground he wasn't a fan of. His jumping put them to bed there. He was very good. He happened to meet them all on the right stride. He did it well.
"Coming from Gordon's you can trust them with your life, they are well schooled. You know they are fit so it's a big help going out on them that way. You are full of confidence going out there. It was a big help to me.
"He is a real good-ground horse. Thankfully there's a good programme for those two mile novice chasers during the summer. There's plenty of races for him between now and August so hopefully he'll get a couple more."
Trainer Gordon Elliott said: "He'll stay two-mile chasing for the summer and then probably go to the sales after that.
“I'd say the good ground helped him. They went a good gallop and the other horse kept him honest. In fairness to him he kept at it over the last two.
“There is a good programme for two-mile horses on this type of ground.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
