The age-old but lacking-in-logic adage of 'backing the outsider of three' came through in the Madra Dog Foods Novice Chase at Punchestown today when Grey Gold (6/1 outsider) defeated two rivals to win for English trainer Richard Lee and jockey Bryan Cooper. Mikael D'Haguenet made the running but faded tamely in the straight as Grey Gold fought out the finish with Aupcharlie Grey Gold appeared to be travelling the better of the pair when Aupcharlie fell at the final fence, leaving Grey Gold to win by 37 lengths from Mikael D'Haguenet.

Afterwards Lee, recording his first career winner at the Festival, stated “we nearly had a winner here on Wednesday (with runner-up Gassin Golf) and if he had jumped the last better, I thought he'd have won too.

“We came here for the soft ground and he loves it. He's very inexperienced and it's only his third run over fences but I'm proud of the way he jumped and is a credit to my team at home.

Regarding the winner's excited manner at the start, Lee added “I've never seen him do that at home and he's a very straightforward type of horse and has gone and done the job really we.

“I've no plan at the moment from here but the win will shorten the trip home! We're getting the ferry tonight at 9 o'clock and we won't be home until four in the morning. I'm driving the lorry so I won't be able to have a drink!”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee