Falco Blitz scores at 16/1 for McNamaras

Eric McNamara 's Falco Blitz sluiced up in Thurles after being produced between the final two fences of the Duggan Veterinary 4Cyte Handicap Steeplechase over an extended 2m5f. Mount Frisco was undoubtedly game off the front, but was unable to repel Falco Blitz who came through to head the bottom-weight before the last.

The 16/1 shot was strong on the run-in for the trainer's son Conor McNamara as he put seven lengths on R'evelyn Pleasure (10/1) who got up for second from Mount Frisco (14/1 - 9/1).

Trainer McNamara said: "I'm delighted for Shane Carmody (owner) who is a great supporter of ours, so that winner means an awful lot to me. I'm really delighted to win for him.

"The horse had been a solid, consistent horse who deserved his day and, thankfully, it came. He was bought the same day as Real Steel (Paddy Power Chase winner), but unfortunately took longer to win. He has been a solid and sound horse though.

"If he hadn't won today, we were thinking of the veterans' chase at Limerick in a month's time, but he is entered in the Leopardstown Chase, so we can think bigger now - if you're not in, you can't win!"

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes