Flavin planning Cheltenham return with Midnight Our Fred

Midnight Our Fred has unfinished business at Cheltenham later this month as the John Flavin-trained gelding ended a frustrating spell today, when landing Gowran's Hospitality At Gowran Park Handicap Chase.

The seven-year-old was previously beaten into second-place in three consecutive Prestbury Park chases last season and finished that term with a third-place finish in May's Killarney National.

Three runners for today's race were withdrawn due to fast going and while Midnight Our Fred (2/1f) jumped left throughout, made all under jockey Danny Mullins to score by 10 lengths from Charlie Luciano

Tramore-based Flavin trains the winner for Florence and Emily Lockwood and commented “I thought the trip was short but once I saw the withdrawals, knew the race had half-fallen apart. He loves that ground and it takes a fair one to jump with him as he is an unbelievable jumper.

“He is better going left-handed and we're going back to Cheltenham in three weeks' time. He had been eligible for an amateur riders' chase that day but has won too far today, although I think Danny did that on purpose, to keep the ride! He might now get in off bottom weight in the 3m1f William Hill Handicap Chase."

He added “I have 20 horses for the track this winter, have between 10 and 12 for point-to-points and buying and selling is all part of my job.”