Roi Du Mee (left) is about to be strongly pressed by Foildubh at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Gordon Elliott is on record as saying that Roi Du Mee is one of his favourites and it's not hard to see why as the French-bred gelding recorded his fifteenth victory for connections in the Grade 2 At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse.
The Gigginstown-owned ten-year-old previously won this 3m1f event in 2013, and later that year enjoyed his finest hour when landing the Grade 1 JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.
Bryan Cooper 's mount was giving 7lb to each of his four rivals including Foildubh who threw down a powerful challenge at the last, and led briefly for a few strides on the run-in.
However Roi Du Mee was not to be outdone, and the 7/4 chance rallied strongly in the closing stages to prevail by half a length.
The 6/4 favourite My Murphy who was all-the-rage in the shops this morning, could find no extra before the last and finished a further 12 lengths adrift in third.
Elliott said, "He's a great little horse and never knows when he's beat. Bryan gave him a great ride.
"He's in the cross country at Cheltenham and in the English National. He's not getting any younger so we might give him a rattle at the National.
"He's won a graded race for the last four or five years, every year, and I wish I had a few more like him."
(GC & AM)
