The Big Chap digs deep to give Flanagan a double

The only race over fences on the card was the SANSERV Rated Novice Steeplechase and it produced a fine finish with The Big Chap digging deep to follow up his 50/1 victory earlier in the month.

Owned by the Glenmore Goes Racing Syndicate, the six-year-old had turned over odds-on favourite My Mate Mozzie at Fairyhouse and that form had been boosted when Gavin Cromwell's gelding won at Cheltenham yesterday.

Here, the 7/2 chance made virtually all and showed a willing attitude when challenged on either side in the straight. He got home by a neck and a head from Hartur D'arc and Clifton Warrior to complete a double for jockey Sean Flanagan after his earlier victory on Release The Beast

Winning trainer Paul Flynn said: "It was either run here or in Cheltenham yesterday in the race won by My Mate Mozzie but I wasn't just convinced that it might have been a fluke when we beat him at Fairyhouse. It suited to come to Galway and I'm delighted to see him win on that softer ground.

"He is something to look forward to and it is early in the year so I wouldn't get just excited yet but could go for a handicap at Leopardstown over Christmas.

"He likes fences, jumps, goes a good gallop and could eventually go for the Grand Annual at Cheltenham - I think that's the type of horse he is.

"The lads are from Mullinavat and previously owned Moon Dice (Galway Hurdle winner) with me."

Quotes from Tom Weekes