Just five went to post for the featured Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas but it provided a tremendous finish with Medical Card just holding off fellow 10/1 outsider Crash
The quintet were tightly bunched entering the straight with two to jump following a sensible pace in this three miler, and Medical Card just held a fractional lead over 9/10 favourite Allee Garde over the last as Crash made a slight mistake.
Medical Card kept on dourly for Davy Condon as Crash narrowed the margin on the run-in but the post came in time as he held on by a neck. Allee Garde also lost little in defeat just the same distance back in third.
Condon stepped in for the ride as Paul Carberry cracked a collar bone while on a skiing holiday during the week.
Winning trainer Noel Meade said, “He wasn't great at the first but in a funny way it might have done him good as he jumped well from there on. We always felt he was a fair horse, and that he'd stay.
“I don't know where he'll go but he'll get an entry in the RSA Chase and also the four mile chase at Cheltenham.”
Stan James have introduced Medical Card at 40/1 for the RSA Chase, while Sean Graham offer 20/1 for the same Cheltenam Festival event.
