Group 1 & handicap chase double for Joseph

Joseph O'Brien, successful in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at ParisLongchamp earlier in the afternoon with Above The Curve, doubled up when 13/8 favourite Fire Attack made all in the Ladbrokes-sponsored handicap chase under Shane Fitzgerald.

Smart in bumpers and over hurdles, although still a maiden in the latter sphere, the Westerner gelding gelding was clear early but was pressed by Bold Enough running down to the second-last. Despite a less than fluent leap there, the winner asserted before the last and kept on well to defeat that rival by four lengths.

This was a winning handicap debut for the seven-year-old who had chased home the useful Ciel De Neige at this venue when last seen in January.

Fitzgerald said “He jumped super. The plan was to bounce out and make it if we could. I never saw another rival and he’s done it very easy.

“We tipped along at a nice gallop and I got a breather into him swinging for the third last. The very minute a horse came to him he picked up and went away.

“We thought the ground might be a bit quick for him but they have done a good job watering it and it’s lovely safe ground out there.”

Quotes from Alan Magee