Wounded Warrior and Paul Carberry clear the last on the way to Grade 2 glory© Photo Healy Racing
Encountering three miles for the first time under Rules, point-to-point winner Wounded Warrior ran out a well-backed and comprehensive victor of the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase at Naas.
Wounded Warrior is a brother to the ill-fated Sword Of Destiny, who looked like he could have been a real good horse, also for the Noel Meade stable, until meeting his demise.
Here the successful Shantou-gelding, halved in price to 3/1, from early offers for this stamina test.
Of course his fellow Gigginstown House Stud-owned contender, Rule The World the choice of Bryan Cooper, headed the betting at 6/4.
Neither of those two were great at the second last fence but the Paul Carberry-ridden Wounded Warrior asserted from before the last for a nine and a half length win from the other one in the 'maroon and white.'
"I think the world of him. Limerick was a disaster as it was too short, the ground was terrible and he made mistakes," explained Meade.
"I knew he was in good knick coming here today. He's a huge horse and is going to improve. He wants three miles. He still made a couple of mistakes-he was great long but getting in tight was a problem.
"I don't know if he'll go to Cheltenham but I'm sure he'll be entered for the RSA and the four miler."
For the RSA Chase Boylesports introduced Wounded Warrior at 33/1. (AM & EM)
