Russell credits Mullins as Fosters wins again

Second in this race in 2010, Tom Mullins' Fosters Cross returned four years later to land the twelfth win of his career when triumphant in the Donal Downes Water Towers Chase at Ballinrobe.

Putting a couple of wins together, after his success in the big handicap chase on the Sunday of the Galway Festival, the grand old veteran never let the pace-setting odds-on favourite, Special Tiara out of his range here.

Davy Russell moved his mount up to lead from before the second last and in the end it was Special Tiara's Henry de Bromhead stable companion, Enjoy Responsibly that chased home Fosters Cross, at a distance of two and a half lengths.

Special Tiara (beaten when making a mistake at the last) ended up eight and a half lengths back in third whilst there were huge gaps of twenty four lengths and sixty one lengths back to the other participants, Usa and Shrapnel

Russell said: "He was good considering the age of him and all credit has to go to Tom really."

Meanwhile a scope on Special Tiara post race revealed mucus. (DM & EM)