El Barra heads Idas Boy at the last © Photo Healy Racing
Market principals El Barra and Idas Boy had a good tussle in the straight before the former came out on top in the Grade 3 novice chase.
Backed into 13/8 favouritism, Idas Boy and Bryan Cooper gave it a good go from the front but were headed by 7/4 chance El Barra and Paul Townend at the final fence with half a length in it at the line.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "As Paul said, he owed him that after unshipping him in Listowel and it is nice to see him do that. That is his first winner back (from an unspecified injury) and I'm looking forward to having the rest of the winter with him."
He added: "He was untidy at the second last and I was afraid he might fade out after making the mistake, but he popped up and galloped to the line.
"The Drinmore is his last race as a novice (in early December) and I don't know if he would be good enough but he could go there, although I might find something easier.
"He has bled (at the nostrils) before I think but hit that second last fence a fair wallop so maybe it is just a nosebleed, although we'll check it. He didn't cut out though."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
