Marshalled swoops late for Walsh at Gowran

Marshalled got up close home to gain what had appeared an unlikely victory in the Barry Moloney Transport Handicap Chase at Gowran Park.

The Padraig Roche-trained gelding, winner of a Clonmel handicap hurdle last December and now successful twice over fences, looked to have it all to do in third approaching the final fence. Optical Confusion appeared set to defy top-weight when a couple of lengths ahead over the last but Mark Walsh conjured a powerful late surge out of Marshalled on the run-in to land the spoils.

The JP McManus-owned 15/2 chance scored by half-a-length from Optical Confusion with Bentham a further length and three quarters adrift in third.

Roche said, “He battled well and it’s great to get another win out of him. He’s consistent and always runs his race.

“The ground is as quick as he wants it but he got away with it today. We’ll keep him going and try and find something similar.”