Eagle soars to record back to back victories

The Dermot Hughes Toyota Car Sales Novice Chase went to the well supported 11/10 favourite Alpine Eagle in the colours of JP McManus for trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Andrew Leigh.

Harrington was completing a cross the card double having scored with Back Burner in a maiden at Cork earlier in the afternoon.

Having put in a disappointing effort on his chasing debut when third to Big Dano at Killarney, the son of Golan got it right on the second time of asking at Ballinrobe on his last start when beating Air Chief by a length.

The 7yo who was recording his seventh career victory here, moved into second approaching the straight, taking up the running from Spill the Beans (who attempted to make all) before the last, asserting on the run in to score by three lengths from Kilflora at 7/1 who came through to take second.

The second favourite at 2/1 Spill the Beans for Ruby Walsh and Henry De Bromhead faded back after the last and finished a further four lengths behind in third.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said afterwards: "He is getting better. His jumping is improving with experience.

"I was worried about the trip but it didn't matter in that ground. He will go in summer soft but he wouldn't like winter soft.

"We will tip away with him now at the smaller trackers and we will see what comes up."