Change The Rules is ridden out by Adrian Heskin© Photo Healy Racing
Change The Rules came from the clouds to take the Coral.ie Download The App Handicap Chase, under Adrian Heskin for owner/trainer Aengus King.
A course and distance winner over hurdles last March, the eight-year-old son of Kutub was an easy winner on his penultimate start at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival.
Fifth on his most recent effort at Punchestown last month, he was sent off a 7/1 chance this evening (12's last night, opening on-course at 8's and touching 6's).
Settled behind the leaders he was ridden from four out and dropped back to sixth approaching the next.
He lost more ground and was seventh on turn for home, but he found a new lease of life from two out and jumped the last in fourth, keeping on strongly to lead inside the final 50 yards, going on to score by three lengths. Glenwood For Ever (8/1), who looked set to score after the last, finished second under Rachael Blackmore for Paul Gilligan, while Prosperity Square was half a length back in third under Ricky Doyle for Conor O'Dwyer at 12/1 (from 16's). Samanntom was sent off the 11/4 favourite and he tired badly from before the last, eventually finishing fourth under Mark Enright for Aidan Fogarty.
Aengus King said afterwards: "We're having a great time at present but I thought the ground was going to be too fast for him.
"I was told the chase track was well watered though and it worked in our favour and he stays all day.
"I was letting both my horses (the winner and Capture The Drama) off but ran the other one at Clonmel yesterday and he was just empty. I was being greedy running (Change The Rules) but am going on holidays tomorrow and needed to put something into the bank before I go!"
The winner went a high of 960/1 on the exchanges.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
