Butney Rock justified favouritism as he took the Dark Horse Cafe & Wine Bar Beginners Chase under Noel McParlan for trainer Colin McBratney.

The seven-year-old son of Beat All finished third behind Howwoulduno (runs in the next) on his last outing at Punchestown, and he was sent off the 11/10 favourite (opened evens on-course) to go two places better this evening.

Having raced mainly in sixth he made good progress on the outer from before the fourth last and he was a close-up fourth as they raced towards three out.

He came through to lead after the second last and he kept on well under pressure on the run-in to hold off the challenge of Jarob by a neck.

The runner-up was returned a 10/1 chance (available at 25/1 this morning and backed from 14’s on-course) under Robbie Colgan for trainer Andrew Lynch.

The front pair went twelve lengths clear of Winnie Cooper (4/1) who finished third under Andrew Lynch for Adrian Murray.

Colin McBratney said afterwards: "He has run some nice races and is improving all the time. Noel said they weren't going fast enough for him so he went asleep on him and came back on the bridle.

"I thought we weren't going to win. He's a great lepper and he likes that nice ground.

"His owner Cathal McGovern is from Newry and owned Galway Plate winner Ballyholland. He wants to go to Galway with Butney Rock."

McGovern nominated the novice chase on Tuesday of Galway as the likely race for Butney Rock.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham