It may have taken Ballyboker Bridge eleven outings 'between the flags' before gaining a maiden success, but the nine-year-old is operating at the height of his powers now as he showed by following up his win in the P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase from last year. Amateur rider Gary Murphy was in the plate in 2015 but today Andrew Lynch did the steering on Peter Maher's charge.

Always up there in a pace-setting role, Ballyboker Bridge asserted from between the last two for a four and a quarter length success over the favourite, Cantlow (13/8 into 11/10 on track). Uncle Junior was still in there pitching in fourth place when making a mistake and unseating Patrick Mullins at the second last fence.

"I'd say he will go to Cheltenham now, and he will be a better horse on better ground. He's not bad for €3,000," remarked Maher.

Meanwhile Lynch stated: "I think the track at Cheltenham suits him a bit better than here as he loses a bit of ground over the banks here. The trip at Cheltenham will stretch him a bit."

For the Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham Paddy Power give Ballyboker Bridge a 12/1 first show.

(AM & EM)