Johann Bach slips up as Breathe Easy strides to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Breathe Easy avoided the drama, as he scored on his debut for Gavin Cromwell in the Paddy Power Handicap.
Second in this race last year, the six-year-old son of Redback had his last run at Dundalk in November, finishing fourth behind Stronger Than Me.
Sent off a 13/2 chance today, he was prominent in the early stages before improving to lead with over three furlongs to race.
He was ridden and pressed by Johann Bach with over a furlong to go, but that one soon stumbled and slipped up, bringing down Elusive Heights in the process.
This left Breathe Easy in a clear lead, and he kept on well to score in the colours of owner Everina Kilfeather. Duchess Andorra (12/1) finished second under Pat Smullen for Johnny Murtagh, while Champagne Or Water who was sent off the 7/2 favourite, was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery.
Gavin Cromwell said afterwards: "It was his first run for me. He had been working very well and I thought he was very straight for his first run.
"Everina (Kilfeather) thought the ground might be a bit too slow for him but we got away with it and Wayne said he wasn't done with.
"He's very straight forward and quiet at home but when he comes racing he gets wound up and hot.
"He might go to Galway for the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap or the Topaz Mile."
Thankfully both horses (Johann Bach and Elusive Heights) and riders (Gary Halpin and Colin Keane) were okay after the incident just under a furlong out.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
