The Way We Were wasn't very convincing at the second last fence in the DUBES Bess Ball Hype Handicap Chase at Naas but that ultimately mattered little as the nicely supported favourite (9/2 into 7/2) went on to account for Starkie by five lengths.

Second market choice Starkie (slight mistake at the final fence) was well fancied too but that 4/1 shot had no answer to the Mark Walsh-ridden, J P McManus-owned The Way We Were from the back of the last.

Winning trainer Edward O'Grady disclosed: "I was just surprised it took him so long to win a chase.

"The fact that he's had two wind operations would make me hope that he'll be better on better ground."

O'Grady also divulged: "Flaming Dawn (a winner of his last two, both at Tramore) has been bought by J P too.

"He could go for a winners race at Clonmel next."

The Stewards fined John C. McConnell, trainer, €130 for lodging a passport in respect of Swanfold in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

(AM & EM)