Minella Foru, noseband, clears the last in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Barry Geraghty produced Minella Foru with a devastating late challenge to collar Ucello Conti on the run-in of the extended three mile Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown.
Geraghty was seen working hard on his mount in eighth place after the second last. However, Minella Foru hadn't given up the ghost and kept ploughing through the heavy ground to be fifth at the last.
At this fence Ballychorus who was disputing the lead with Ucello Conti, fell and brought down Sumos Novios
Ucello Conti and Jacques Ricou went for home but Minella Foru thundered home down the outside to collar Ucello Conti in the final 100 yards and win by a length and a half at 7/1. The runner-up was a 25/1 chance for Gordon Elliott. Folsom Blue (20/1) kept on for third. He was beaten four and three quarter lengths by the winner. Gilgamboa the 4/1 favourite, was half a length further away in fourth.
Winning trainer Eddie Harty said: "The ground was a bit slower than he wants but his class came through in the finish, although I wouldn't like him to be going another furlong.
"We have been planning this for a while. He was unlucky to be touched off at Fairyhouse the last day but it's probably worked out in our favour.
"He's never gone three miles before but he travelled well and Barry gave him a peach of a ride. He said that he would leave it late but I didn't think he would leave it that late.
"I would not be averse to letting him take his chance in novice chases given that he has that experience.
"It's a lovely race to win and my biggest win in prize-money terms over fences. It's been a great couple of days with three winners from three runners."
Barry Geraghty added: "The ground was hard work. He got low at a few and I nearly fell off him at the first. I just crept away quietly, I didn't want to get involved too early.
"I had plenty of traffic to through from the third last but I gave him a squeeze going to the second last and he came alive. At that stage I was only hoping to be placed but I knew when we got inside the wings of the last we were in business.
"He jumped the last well and landed full of running. He was looking round and obviously Jacques made me work for it but my fellow rallied well. He was game. I always felt I was coming with a winning run."
Eddie Harty sealed a double on the day as his Copy That (11/8f) won the previous race.
Successful owner JP McManus ran nine horses in the race.
Paddy Power gave Minella Foru a first show of 33/1 for the Grand National.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
