Last Instalment put in a tremendous exhibition of jumping to win the Grade 1 Topaz Fort Leney Novice Chase and lead home a one-two for Gigginstown House Stud.
Brian O’Connell had the 11/4 second favourite always in the front rank throughout the three-mile contest and when he saw off Allee Garde and Ruby Walsh coming into the home straight there was only going to be one winner. First Lieutenant (7/4 favourite) and Davy Russell kept on after the last to pip Allee Garde (7/2) for second and give Gigginstown their one-two but he was six lengths in arrears of the winner.
After winning on his chasing debut at Galway in October, Last Instalment landed a Grade 2 at Punchestown in November and put the icing on the cake for his trainer Philip Fenton when taking this Grade 1 in style.
“He’s a lovely horse. I was surprised that Davy [Russell] opted for the other one [First Lieutenant],” Philip Fenton said.
“The decision was left late. We had great confidence in this fellow and we weren’t surprised today.
“He will have one more run before Cheltenham if he goes there. He doesn’t particularly need one but he could go for the PJ Moriarty Chase here.
“There’s also the option of the Powers Gold Cup for him. The ground was maybe a worry today. We would have loved to have seen more rain but he coped with it well.”
Boylesports cut the winner from 14/1 to 8/1 for the RSA Chase while Paddy Power go 10/1 from 16/1. Sean Grahams were more impressed and make him only 5/1.
Michael Graham
