A Great View clears the last under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Down to a career low mark of 112, A Great View recorded his sixth career success in the Burleigh Accountancy Handicap Hurdle.
A dual Punchestown Festival winner, the Denis Cullen-trained 12-year-old clearly retains plenty of enthusiasm for the game and was sent off a 9/2 chance (from 13/2) in the colours of JP McManus.
Never far from the pace under Mark Walsh, the admirable veteran improved into a share of a lead from three out and got to the front before the final flight.
Ridden on the run-in, he found plenty for pressure and asserted in the closing stages, coming home two-and-a-half lengths to the good.
Sent off an easy-to-back 17/2 chance, Mister Beeton filled the runner-up spot under Shane Fitzgerald, while the hat-trick seeking Dorans River (13/2) ran another fine race, a length-and-a-quarter back in third.
"This horse has been very good to me. He's given me two Punchestown festival winners and he's brought me to Cheltenham three or four times. He's been rock-solid and he's a great horse to have in the yard," Cullen enthused.
"I'm very lucky and grateful to have him and a big thanks to Frank (Berry) and JP (McManus) for supporting me with him.
"He still has the enthusiasm and was a bit unlucky the last time he came here (third). He was just short of room at a vital stage and came home well. The longer trip this evening suited him well.
"As long as he's healthy and well we'll keep going with him. He's 12 but there's not a lot of mileage on the clock, we've minded him and we pick his races for him.
"He didn't enjoy Galway because you're on the turn the whole time there and he prefers a bit of room and space to gallop.
"If we can find something else for him here we might come back with him."
STEWARDS REPORTS
M.J.M O'Sullivan, rider of The Abbey trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stopped quickly.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Abbey, trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
