Things looked to be working out to plan when 5/4 favourite, Thyne Again jumped to the front two out in the Grade 2 Normans Grove Chase, but he had no answer to Mansony s surge to the front at the last, the margin between the two at the line being six lengths.

Davy Russell, aboard Mansony, was asking his mount to chase the leaders from before the straight, but seeing as he has won a chase over a couple of furlongs further also on heavy ground, the response he produced was always likely to be forthcoming. Southern Vic ran an encouraging race to take the third spot, a further three and a half lengths adrift.

Mansony has been a fantastic servant to connections and here the French-bred was achieving an eleventh career success.

His trainer, Arthur Moore said: "It is good to be back in the winner's enclosure. He seems to retain a fair bit of his ability. Davy was always happy on him. He'll most likely run next weekend at Punchestown (Tied Cottage Chase) and then Naas three weeks after."

The Kerrygold Champion Chase, which he won in 2007 and finished third in last year, is a likely seasonal target for Mansony. (EM)