Cheerful Chap dug deep to repel the late challenge of Kings Hill and secure a follow up win at Ballinrobe tonight.

Philip Rothwell 's charge had scored at Naas on Tuesday and went to post 2/1 favourite to strike again in the two-mile-one handicap hurdle tonight under a 7lb penalty.

Simon Torrens bounced out in front on the Pour Moi gelding and he asked his mount to go for home after a slightly untidy leap at the last.

Kings Hill threw down a strong challenge in the straight but the line came in time for Cheerful Chap as he held on for a head victory.

Torrens said:- "Philip said he'd come out of Naas fresh and well in himself. He told me to bounce out in front and see what happened.

"He'd a right old look around, especially in the home straight, but that seems to be him.

"I knew he'd stay well and the ground's not too bad out there so I went a good enough gallop from flag-fall. That probably isn't a straightforward thing to do on the likes of him but I'm delighted he held on."

(Quotes by Mark Nunan)