Spirit tops at Naas

Many horses were supported for the Tipper Road Handicap Chase at Naas and the vast majority of the field had chances as they approached the second last. Beneficial Spirit priced up at 25/1 last night and returned a ten was the one to find extra when it mattered most.

He came with a good looking run on the far side under Brian O'Connell from two out.

On the run-in, Philip Rothwell's charge (a measure of compensation for him following Saoirse Dun's fall yesterday) stayed on well to beat Quiet Thought by three lengths.

Rothwell said: "I'm delighted. He had a very good run at Gowran but when he came home he was lame.

"He missed two weeks work. Andrew (Ring) gave him a lovely ride at Leopardstown last time. He gave a blow two out and improved nicely from it.

"We'll mix it between hurdles and fences with him now.

"He's been a difficult horse as he's had plenty of injuries.

"He's won a bumper and a couple of hurdles and now twice over fences – hopefully he's not finished either." (GC & EM)