Taaffe on the mark with Goose Man

Goose Man provided Tom Taaffe with a welcome change of fortune when taking the Marcie’s Pub Rated Novice Chase in good style at odds of 5/1.

The Gold Well gelding filled the runner-up spot behind Without Limites on his debut over fences at Wexford but reversed the places here again over 2m4f.

Andrew Lynch ’s mount travelled sweetly to lead approaching the last, and kept on well on the run-in to beat Without Limites by four and a half lengths. Champoleon could find no extra after the last and finished a further six lengths away in third.

Taaffe said, “He’s done that well for a five-year-old. He’s a horse that we like but he’s a baby. He jumped much sharper today and got a lovely ride off Andrew.

“He’s a handicapper and won’t be going any bright lights for a few years.

“I don’t think he’s mad about real heavy ground but I want him to learn. Down the line hopefully he could be a National type horse when he gets experience.

“(My son) Pat has been schooling him with Andrew.”

The Gold Cup winning trainer has endured a lean time in recent years, and this was his first winner in 12 months.