The Big Chap leads over the last from Good Bye Milan© Photo Healy Racing
The Big Chap saw off Good Bye Milan to take the honours in the first division of the 80-95 handicap hurdle over 2m3f in Limerick.
The Big Chap led but looked vulnerable approaching two out as Good Bye Milan readily moved into a threatening second.
The leader, and 10/3 favourite, still had plenty in his locker, though, and led narrowly over the last before responding well to a Barry Browne drive on the run-in to make the best way home.
Good Bye Milan, appearing under the 7lb penalty for winning at Wexford last night, tried hard but went down by a length at 9/2. There was a gap back to Dylan Lombardy (7/2) in third and Tullyhogue Fort (11/1) in fourth.
Trainer Paul Flynn said: "He is a grand horse and I got him from Peter Maher who is a lovely man and a great horseman who looks after his horses the best. I bought this horse's half-brother for €3,000 during the week so we must have had an idea this lad was going to win!
"He has always run good races but was very nervy and Barry said he was very keen there. He always finished well and never ran a bad race but it was lesser company today.
"I thought he'd be rated 85 instead of 95 but can't say anything bad now and being left in this 0-95 was a big help. He'll be a much better chaser, is a serious leaper and there should be plenty more to come.
"The horses are running well, we have a few nice ones to look forward to and hopefully we'll get a few to Galway, including possibly this lad."
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
