Rory beats Shu in the Cross-Country

Love Rory justified favouritism as he took the Glenfarclas P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross-Country Chase, scoring under Nina Carberry for Enda Bolger.

Having started at 5/1 this morning with Paddy Power, that price was quickly snapped up, and the six-year-old son of Winged Love opened at just 11/4 on-course.

He was backed into 2/1 favouritism at the off, and he hit the front after clearing Ruby's Double for the final time.

He went a few lengths clear approaching the last, and he kept on well on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths. Big Shu ran a fine race on his seasonal reappearance, keeping on well in the closing stages to finish second at 10/3 under Paul Carberry for Peter Maher, while Quiscover Fontaine (12/1) was a further two lengths back in third under Brian Linehan also for Enda Bolger. Bishopsfurze was sent off a 7/2 chance under Patrick Mullins for his father Willie, but he crashed out at the fourteenth.

Enda Bolger said afterwards: "It's back to brass tax after last week!

"The race probably changed when Bishopsfurze went.

"He is a nice horse for a six-year-old and he was given a great ride again by Nina. He seems to like that ground. Taking on the second horse the next day will be different.

"He will be entered for Cheltenham, but I keep telling myself that he is only a six-year-old."

Bolger also commented on the performance of Quiscover Fontaine, who finished third, saying: “It was nice to see him showing a bit of spark."

Paddy Powers have introduced the winner at 10/1 for Cross-Country race at the Cheltenham, while he is an 8/1 chance for the same race with Boylesports.

Meanwhile both firms have left Big Shu unchanged at 8/1 for the same race at the Festival.

Enda Bolger and Nina Carberry were recording there second successive victory in this race, having won it last year with Arabella Boy.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee