Imagine and Jack Kennedy red win the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Steeplechase Grade 2 © Photo Healy Racing
Despite being sent off a strong 30-100f, Imagine had a real scare before eventually landing the Grade 2 BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Gordon Elliott's five-year-old was expected to have a relatively straightforward task to add to his impressive chasing debut win earlier this month but in the circumstances those that took the long odds on received quite a scare. Uncle Phil led the race from flag fall and looked to be travelling easily when kicking on entering the straight. Imagine came under pressure at that point but responded to rider Jack Kennedy to draw level jumping the last.
However, having gone a length up, Imagine then had to battle hard to see off the late run of the John Ryan trained Lucid Dreams
Winning jockey Kennedy said: "He stays well and wants further than that two miles. He jumped great and battled all the way to the line. He never put a foot wrong the whole way - I am thrilled with that. "
Trainer Gordon Elliott added: “He’s a nice horse and probably wants further. Two and a half miles would probably suit him better.
“The Grade 1 in Limerick at Christmas could be an option or we might bring him to Kempton on Boxing Day for the Grade 1 novice and run Gerri Colombe in the King George but I could change my mind ten times before then!”
Paddy Power left Imagine unchanged at 40-1 for the Arkle and 33-1 Turners.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
