Michael Graham
Money Heist grabs the money
Money Heist approaches the winning post
© Photo Healy Racing
Money Heist ran down Kates Hill to land the two mile handicap chase on Naas' card.
Gavin Cromwell 's six-year-old gelding went off 7/4 favourite after a fourth place in a big field handicap hurdle at Cork in November.
Cheekpieces were deployed for the first and he really responded to Keith Donoghue urgings after a mistake at the last to power past Kates Hill in the closing stages of the run-in.
The winner came in by a length and a-quarter from the runner-up who was a 13/2 chance. Mahlers Cove (8/1) took third some five lenghs clear of Prince Of Air (9/1).
This was Money Heist's fourth crack at fences and, afterwards, Cromwell said: “He was gutsy to get back up and he jumped well everywhere bar the last two. He loves that ground.
“He travelled well with the cheekpieces on and I wouldn’t think he needs much further.
“I don’t know if he’s a horse that would back it up quickly as he didn’t after Galway (last year), so we won’t be in a hurry to get him back out again.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee