My Hometown (leading) pictured on his way to victory under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
My Hometown landed a gamble as he made all to win an incident-packed EMS Copiers Risk Of Thunder Chase.
Available at 14/1 in early shows, the Enda Bolger trained eight-year-old opened on-course at 7/1, before going off a 9/2 chance under Donal McInerney. Full Cry who was sent off the 2/1 favourite, unseated Rachael Blackmore at the sixteenth obstacle, while Hurricane Darwin (5/2) fell five out, bringing down both Black Benny and Lighting Tunes
The JP McManus owned victor avoided all the drama in front, and went clear approaching the last, going on to register an easy sixteen length success.
The Peter Maher duo of Mtada Supreme (20/1) and Ballyboker Bridge (drifted from 7s to 16s on-course) finished second and third respectively, with six lengths separating them at the line.
Bolger said afterwards: "He promised so much as a young horse and it's great to see it coming to fruition. The ground is a big factor for him.
"He's young enough and this is his game. He’s a great jumper.
"I think Punchestown might suit him better than Cheltenham because he loves jumping the banks."
STEWARDS REPORT
Owing to the low lying elevation of the sun, the Stewards granted permission for Rubys Double (No 23) and Joes Hedge (No 24) to be omitted from this race
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
