Envol Pierji makes it 3 on the day for McManus

Following on from Time To Get Up at Wincanton and It’s Only A Number in the previous race on this card, there was a third J P McManus winner on the day when Envol Pierji took the Molson Coors Handicap Chase at Down Royal.

Three miles on heavy ground this 0 to 123 contest may have been, but the margins at the finish were small after an exciting conclusion.

Mark Walsh rode the well-backed 6/4 market-leader for the Liz Doyle yard, and he got the French-bred grey home by half a length and the same from Kavanaghs Corner and Wishmoor

Liz Doyle said afterwards: "He made hard work of it. I thought the step up would really help him find a gear but he made very hard work of it.

"We might try and find a small bit of better ground for him. Same again I think, hopefully he will improve for it.

"He missed a few as well and he is still learning. The handicap thing is still coming to him. Hopefully there is a small bit of improvement in him."

B. Browne, rider of Spancil Hill trained by Michael J. McDonagh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped badly before being pulled up.

(MG & EM)