The Echo Boy takes the honours by three lengths© Photo Healy Racing
Top-weight The Echo Boy foiled Whatsafellatodo s bid to win the veteran's handicap chase in Ballinrobe for the second year in succession.
JJ Slevin eased Whatsafellatodo past Nobody Home with over a quarter of a mile and two fences to negotiate.
He was far from yet, though, as Michael O'Sullivan timed his challenge well on The Echo Boy who jumped to the front at the final obstacle.
The leader soon had Whatsafellatodo's measure on the run-in and went on by three lengths at 18/1 from the 6/4 favourite. Bythesametoken picked up third-placed money a further five lengths adrift at 13/2.
Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: ""Michael said he had a blow at the second-last which he was entitled to as he's been off a long time.
"He was a good horse and we had to mind him and get him back. He loves that fast ground and Michael said he's a great horse to jump and measures his fences well.
"He was in good nick and I was hoping for a big run. He gets three miles so we'll see what's coming up for him.
"These veterans' races are a great idea for horses like him who've missed a year with injury, it's great to have them, and we'll see if we can find something similar for him in three or four weeks time."
This brought up a double for jockey O'Sullivan who also took the extended 2m6f maiden hurdle on Churchroad Prince
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
