Jump The Shark (green and gold) asserts up the hill © Photo Healy Racing
After winning the first chase of the evening on his brother's O'Faolains Glory Keith Donoghue quickly doubled up for his boss Gavin Cromwell when 15/8 favourite Jump The Shark returned from four months off to win the Joe Rea Memorial Handicap Steeplechase.
The J P McManus-owned gelding was a bit ponderous in the air but only needed to be nudged to the front inside the final furlong to beat Welsh Saint by a cosy length and a quarter.
"I thought I was struggling coming down the hill but, in fairness, he is probably bred to stay and the hill helped him," said Donoghue
"I think so, yes (ground was a big, big plus) - better ground really helps him and he just travels better on it.
"Hopefully he can kick on from this, he was knocking on the door over hurdles. Hopefully he might go in again."
Quotes from Michael Graham
