Robbie Dunne & Aranhill Chief are clear approaching the winning post© Photo Healy Racing
Aranhill Chief sprang a 16/1 (33/1 last night with Paddy Power) surprise by taking the Panda Hurdle under Robbie Dunne for trainer Stephen Mahon.
The son of Blueprint won his bumper over the course last August but he disappointed on his four subsequent starts, the last three of which were over hurdles.
However the six-year-old gelding obviously has a fondness for Bellewstown and he hit the front before the third last, keeping on well in the straight to comfortably account for his rivals by six lengths. Deal Done finished second under Ruby Walsh for Dessie Hughes at 9/4 while Torn Asunder (11/8fav) could only manage a disappointing third, a further four and three parts of a length back under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott.
Stephen Mahon said afterwards: "The only reason I ran him here is because he was balloted out of the next.
"He had good bumper form last year and he won here in August but his form fell apart a bit after that and he had a touch of ringworm after his last run.
"We will find something in Galway form him now."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
