Snugsborough justifies favouritism to win for Cusack/O'Regan

Snugsborough Hall readily justified 11/10 favouritism to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase at Leopardstown today for trainer Liam Cusack and jockey Denis O'Regan.

Eight year old Snugsborough Hall was a winner at Clonmel on his latest start in February and today easily defeated three rivals, when beating runner-up Lean And Keen by nine lengths.

Cusack later stated “it was a lovely pot to win. When you are a novice you have to try and go for these; there will be plenty of handicaps next year.

“We were dropping back in trip but I always felt that he wasn't a slow horse.

“He's learning the whole time and probably Clonmel manned him up a bit.

“I was delighted with the way it went. With four runners it can often be tactical but he had a lovely position and he jumped lovely.

“We'll see what the ground does now but I'll probably ease off a bit now and wait for Fairyhouse or Punchestown.

“He wouldn't want it any heavier. The ground is lovely on the chase track. We'll see what the handicapper does now.”

Quotes from Gary Carson