Lord Lariat (9/2) made a bold bid from the front to repeat last year’s victory in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Steeplechase but was caught close home by Arrycan (10/1).

The winner overcame a peck on landing at the second last and, along with the 6/4 favourite Favori Logique closed on the leader racing down to the final fence.

The Arakan gelding stayed on well on the run-in, despite Walsh momentarily dropping his reins, to score by half a length with the market leader another length away in third.

This was a second win over fences for Arrycan after his beginners’ chase victory at Downpatrick in June.

Winning trainer Liam Cusack said: “The ground is key to him. He ran well over hurdles at Clonmel the last day and came out of the race well.

“Eoin got him into a lovely rhythm. They went a good pace and he jumped like a buck.

“I’m delighted for the lads (Shannon Street Syndicate). Some of them were involved with Bog War who was a good servant to the yard and for some of them it’s their first horse. They are from around the Mountrath area and they will celebrate tonight in Eddie Kirwan’s in Mountrath.

“We’ll see how he is and the weather will dictate where we go. He’s entered at Punchestown on Tuesday but I doubt he’ll go there.

“He could be aimed at the opportunity handicap chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.”

Quotes from Alan Magee