Rare Bob deservedly lost his maiden tag at the fourteenth attempt at Punchestown in January and after running with credit in the top grade behind Cooldine at Leopardstown last time, the Bob Back gelding showed his appreciation for the drop in class by taking the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Chase.

Paddy Flood took over on Rare Bob (11/8 favourite) from the front-running gamble Bronte Bay (5s in the morning into 100/30) at the third last and he went on to account for that one by five lengths.

Winning trainer, Dessie Hughes said: "He is entered in a couple of races at Cheltenham but that is probably out now. He has plenty of options at home. Novices have a good record in the Irish National so we could look at that. There is also a good novice race at Punchestown. He seems to handle any ground, he certainly wouldn't mind good ground." (EM)