From left to right; Knockanarrigan, Elegant Statesman and Shantou Flyer jump the second last together© Photo Healy Racing
Elegant Statesman made it back to back wins in the thetote.com Galway Plate Trial Handicap Chase, providing his trainer Henry De Bromhead with a double on the card (earlier won the second with Our Dougal .
The nine-year-old son of Vinnie Roe appeared just three times since his win here twelve months ago, pulling up at Navan in September before winning on his next start at Clonmel the following month.
An encouraging second on his return to action over the course and distance last month, the JP McManus owned gelding was sent off an easy to back 11/2 chance this evening (was as short as 5/2 this morning).
Settled in mid-division by Mark Walsh, he took closer order before three out, and jumped the next in a three way share of the lead.
He had a ding-dong battle with Shantou Flyer from before the last, just getting up to prevail by a nose.
The runner-up was sent off the a well-backed 4/1 chance (opened on-course at 13/2) under Barry O'Neill for Colin Bowe. Kylestyle who was as big as 6/1 in the morning, was returned the 3/1 favourite and he finished four and a quarter lengths back in third under Jack Kenndy for Fran Flood.
Mark Walsh said afterwards: "He won this race last year and was off a twelve pounds higher mark this year. He loves it here. Henry had him spot on so all credit goes to him."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
