Orpheus Valley leads his rivals away from the last before going on to score© Photo Healy Racing
Thomas Gibney recorded his first winner since he took the Irish Grand National in April as his Orpheus Valley scored in the last at Roscommon this evening, the Kiltoom Handicap Chase.
Ridden by Adrian Heskin, the 9yo son of Beneficial finished second to Kalellshan at Killarney in late August and after that encouraging effort he was sent off the 4/1 joint favourite this evening on just his third start for Gibney.
Ridden by Adrian Heskin, he made all the running and kept on well away from the last when ridden to score easily by twelve lengths. Good Luck Chuck finished back in second at 5/1 for David Martin Kelly with Mark Enright aboard while the other 4/1 joint favourite (backed from 6/1 on-course) Bullock Harbour was a further length and a half back in third under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.
Orpheus Valley is on his third trainer in Gibney having won his maiden hurdle at Downpatrick in November of 2008 for Noel Meade and a novice chase at Cork in November of 2009 for Paul Flynn.
Gibney said afterwards: "I was confident coming here as he is in good form. Hopefully this will be a stepping stone for him although I have nothing planned.
"His owners (the No Horse Box Syndicate) are a seven member syndicate from Cavan.
"I have ten in training at the moment and my numbers have more than doubled since the Grand National win as I only had two to four before it."
(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
