Kildare trainer Jessica Harrington dominated the featured National Lottery Agent Champion Chase at Gowran Park this afternoon.
But it was 7-1 chance Slaney Native who got the better of better-fancied stable companion Ferbet Junior, the 9-4 second favourite, for the IR£13,000 first prize.
Ferbet Junior, successful in this two-and-a-half-mile even last year, attempted to make all the running in the hands of Barry Geraghty on ground turned soft by heavy overnight rain.
However, the top weight began to tire heading to the home straight as the 7-4 market leader Moscow Express and the Paul Moloney-ridden Slaney Native began to close.
Moscow Express was in front over the third last, but looked to be about to give best when crashing at the penultimate fence leaving Slaney Native to come home 10 lengths clear of Ferbet Junior.
'Slaney Native won well here earlier in the year and we will see what the handicapper does before we make any plans for him,' said MrsHarrington, who was pleased with the runner-up`s effort.
She added: 'Ferbet Junior has learned to settle well. He jumps better than ever and I`m not surprised he began to feel the pinch as he was off for the past 11 months.'
