Winter Escape enhanced his growing reputation with a third win in-a-row over fences in the Grade 3 Total Event Rental Novice Chase.

Previously trained in the UK by Alan King, the son of Robin Des Champs was successful on his second start for Aidan Howard at Galway in September.

He followed-up in style in a Grade 3 at Cork, but despite that he proved friendless with punters this afternoon, opening on-course at 8/1 before going off at 12s under Mark Walsh.

Given a patient ride, he came to challenge the favourite A Plus Tard (5/4fav) before the last, and he soon got to the front, keeping on well under pressure on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths.

The Henry de Bromhead trained market leader had to settle for second under Rachael Blackmore, while Jetz (7/2) was another thirteen lengths back in third.

"I wasn't expecting him to beat the favourite carrying that weight but he did it very well," said Howard, who trains the winner for JP McManus.

“The bit of rain actually helped as he needs a bit of ease in the ground.

"He has a couple of entries for Leopardstown and we'll see how he comes out of the race.

"Mark gave him a great ride. He took his time, they went a good gallop so they came back to him.

"I'm delighted as I wasn't expecting to beat the favourite giving him a stone, that's a lot of weight and the second horse is a good horse.

"They pulled away from the rest as well. He's a good horse I think."

STEWARDS REPORTS

L.P. Dempsey, rider of Ben Dundee trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a mistake at the second last fence.

M.A. Enright, rider of Poli Roi (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having made a bad mistake at the open ditch.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson