The Big Chap and Aidan Kelly are welcomed back in by connections© Photo Healy Racing
In the colours of 2011 Galway Hurdle winner Moon Dice, The Big Chap defied top-weight in the Friends Of Brian Mulligan Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
A generally consistent performer and recording his third win, the Paul Flynn-trained six-year-old had a rare 'off day' at Roscommon last month, pulling up when sent off favourite.
Back in trip this afternoon and sent off a 9/2 chance (from 15/2 early), the Policy Maker gelding was settled in mid-division by Aidan Kelly, taking closer order from four out.
Sent to the front two out, he was foot perfect at the last and was kept up to his work on the run-in, coming home three-and-a-quarter lengths clear for the Kilkenny-based Glenmore Goes Racing Syndicate.
Successful at Punchestown last month, Warm In Gorey (5/1) kept on well to take second under Paddy O'Hanlon for Philip Rothwell, while outsider Woodstream Lad (50/1) ran a huge race, another three-and-a-half lengths back in third.
Returned the well-backed 9/4 favourite, Staging Post never looked like winning and finished a disappointing fifth for the double seeking pair of Mark McNiff and Michael O'Sullivan.
"I got a lovely run around. Myself and Paul discussed it beforehand and he said you're not going to lose much ground around here by hugging the rail, so that's what I did," Kelly revealed.
"The two lads in front went an unmerciful gallop, but Paul had told me to ride my own race if there was a lot of pace on and things worked out well.
"He had a good look when he got to the front but did it well in the end. It was my first time riding for Paul and that's my 7lb claim gone."
Flynn added: "It got very wet in Roscommon and I probably shouldn't have run him on that ground. The 2m5f probably just stretched him there as well.
"I really fancied him today and they went a real good gallop over this trip which suited him. He's won at Kilbeggan and now here and was unlucky at Killarney where he hit the rail, and he likes that type of track.
"The owners had Moon Dice with me and they'll probably be keen to go to Galway, so we probably will head there. He should make a good chaser in time."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Staging Post, trained by Mark Michael McNiff, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have lost it's left fore shoe and to be blowing hard post race.
The Raceday Stewards requested a report from Paul W. Flynn, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of The Big Chap, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Paul W. Flynn stated that today's better ground, a drop back in trip and a change of tactics may have helped bring about today's improvement in form. Having considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting Mark Nunan
