Mac N Cheese delivers on third start for Cromwell

Mac N Cheese took the Thanks To Our Members Handicap Chase on what was just his third start for Gavin Cromwell.

A three time winner over hurdles in the UK, the son of Milan was bought for just 4,000 pounds at Goffs in January, and was last seen finishing a good eighth in an ultra-competitive handicap hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.

Back over fences this evening, the nine-year-old gelding opened on-course at 8/1, before going off at 6s under Jonathan Moore for the Fair Fox Syndicate.

He had a good battle with the 7/2 favourite Pass The Ball from two out, and just gained the upper hand in the closing stages, with a length the winning margin.

The front pair went three and three parts of a length clear of Don't Let Go in third, with this one returned at 25/1 under Ricky Doyle for Conor O'Dwyer.

Cromwell said afterwards: "I bought him for just 4,000 pounds (in January) on the advice of Tom Malone.

"He actually ran a grand race in Fairyhouse. He plunged on the way to the start with David Mullins and his reins got caught up in the breast girth. It looked like he was jumping left all the time but he just couldn't steer him. He also ran a nice race here at the Festival.

"When we bought him we thought he needed soft ground as all his form was on soft but he's handled that. Hopefully he's okay and we can tip away for the summer."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee