Thomastown H´cap H´dle (Rated 77-90) of €8,500.00 5-y-o plus 3m.

1st - €5,873.50, 2nd - €1,445.00, 3rd - €680.00, 4th - €425.00 20 Ran

Le Sparnacien, subject of a foiled gamble at Thurles last time, recouped some losses here with a cosy victory.

Trainer Philip Dempsey reported that the winner enjoyed the testing conditions and didn't travelled or jump as well on the yielding ground last time.

Barry Geraghty sent him to the front turning in and he had things in hand at the last, keeping on well to comfortably see off the late run of Lochan Lacha.

The runner-up had shown little in three maiden starts but as with many of Tony Martin's showed more on his handicap debut.

The solid 3/1 chance was held up of the pace before working his way into contention turning for home.

He came under pressure approaching the second last and was staying on when a mistake at the last didn't help. He never looked like pegging back the winner after.

Willoughby Joe was a close third turning in but couldn't go with the winner before the last.

Hatchback, a moderate sixth two out, kept on at the one pace while Brandam, who had beaten the winner last time, was close up throughout but could find no more in second two out and weakened before the last.

The non-runners were Black Mac (sore shins) and Rebel Hand (lame).