Change of plan works a treat for Just Jacob

Just Jacob avoided the early drama in the Heinz Pollmeier Memorial Handicap Chase at Tramore and built up a lead that he refused to relinquish.

Some three horses departed at the first two fences and this led to the final fence being bypassed for the remainder of the race.

Kieren Buckley sent 16/1 Just Jacob into an early lead and the pair skipped well clear in the back straight of the first circuit and he maintained the status quo throughout.

The leader enjoyed himself as he prepared to tackle the final fence (usual two out) and it was clear that he had built up an unassailable advantage. Erigmoor to his credit, attempted to make a race of it before the bypassed last and cut into the deficit on the run-in, however, Buckley kept the idling Just Jacob up to his work to win by a reduced margin of two and a-quarter lengths at 16/1 for Gavin Cromwell.

Erigmoor (4/1f) was booked for the runner-up berth and was six lengths ahead of Prince Of Air (6/1).

Buckley said: "I was going to get a lead, but he grabbed the bit the moment the flag dropped and took me to the front.

"He jumped brilliant, he was a bit messy at times but was very, very slick over them. I didn't want to interfere with him and I knew he'd keep going for two-miles, if anything I thought he'd be done for a bit of toe, but it sounds silly saying that now.

"He had them strung out a long way out and when you're on one of Gavin Cromwell's, they just keep going. He was a little bit tired near the finish, but just idled more than anything else. I'd say he was just getting a bit lonely. I'd say the closer the second horse got to me, he would have kept pulling out. It wasn't the plan. but it worked out nicely.

"I've had two rides down here and they've both won, so it's been a happy hunting ground."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy