Wounded Warrior puts in a stormer for Flanagan

Wounded Warrior made all over three miles six furlongs to close out the 50,000 euro handicap chase.

Sean Flanangan kept the strapping nine-year-old up to his work as Irish Grand National runner-up Isleofhopendreams tried to throw down the gauntlet between the last two fences.

It was to no avail though as the 20/1 shot had seven lengths in hand crossing the line.

Isleofhopendreams (8/1) had to settle for second again with Fletcher's Flyer (7/1) and Kilcullen Flem at 14/1 completing the places in third and fourth respectively.

Noel Meade said: "He is what he is, he's not easy to predict. He ran a cracker and he (Sean Flanagan) said he loved the ground and jumped great.

"We've been putting claimers on him and he's a big, big, strong fella and going back to Sean probably did him. That's no disrespect to the lads that have been riding him but just a stronger jockey was a help to him. He got a good tune out of him and they couldn't go far enough.

"I always thought he could be a Grand National horse but obviously that's it for the season as he wants extreme distances and there are no more of them.

"We'll see what the plans are, I know he would have been very close to the for sale sign before today but he might get a reprieve.

"We might try him in the Becher Chase in December. That could be a race for him because he's strong and a tough sort."

Sean Flanagan, in the Gigginstown colours, added: "I think the drying ground was a big help. He’s an auld character of a lad, and when he got a bit of sun on his back at home he seemed to turn the corner. He was in great form at home.

“I got an easy lead and kept filling away and he’s done it really well. He stays all day.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee