There was drama aplenty in the Listed Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase at Thurles with outsider of the four participants, Cubomania (5/1), coming out on top under Davy Russell.

As ever jumping was the name of the game, and Cubomania's trainer, Gordon Elliott's other runner, Duca De Thaix (2/1), didn't cut the mustard in that department.

The same could be said of Duca De Thaix's fellow market-leader, Jetz (7/4 favourite), but where jumping really came into it was at the final fence. Benruben was a very narrow leader from Cubomania here when crashing out under Mark Enright.

That left Cubomania to come home with twenty two lengths to spare over Jetz, with fifty two lengths back to Duca De Thaix last of the three to complete.

"You have to give credit to Gordon for at least entering him in the race; I remember him running in a novice handicap at Perth and I thought he might win a race or two over fences but I didn't think he'd be the revelation he turned out to be," observed Russell.

Regarding the race being run in memory of Pierce Molony, the late owner of the racecourse, he added "Pierce was a gentleman and was one of the main men who would look after the jockeys first. 

"When there was no sauna here he'd invite us up to the house for a sweat in the hot-tub. It was just fun coming here just to meet Pierce alone."

J.W. Kennedy, rider of Duca De Thaix (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst.

P. Townend, rider of Jetz, trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made several mistakes.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Duca De Thaix (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have blood at the nose as a result of an exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

(TW & EM)