Visionarian clears the last under Keith Donoghue© Photo Healy Racing
Visionarian outclassed his three rivals in the Boylesports Chase, as he put in an exhibition of jumping under Keith Donoghue.
A Grade 3 winner at Galway last season and placed at the highest level, the Peter Fahey-trained eight-year-old was last seen finishing a fine fifth in the Galway Plate.
Expected to deliver this evening, the Basil Holian-owned bay was sent off the well-supported favourite at 8/11.
Having raced mainly in a share of second, he took closer order from five out and jumped to the front at the next.
While soon narrowly headed, he regained the lead before the second last and was pushed out on the run-in, coming home two-and-a-half lengths to the good.
The front-running Effernock Fizz finished a gallant second under Carl Millar, while Mt Leinster (11/8 from 1/1) was another four-and-a-half lengths back in third.
"I spotted this race and said I'd put him in and see what was going to turn up. I'm very happy with how he did that. If I could find a nice two-and-a-half mile handicap I'd be tempted to go back over hurdles with him," Fahey revealed.
"He nearly got home in the Plate and could be a horse for something like the Topham next year. He's not a winter ground horse or a three-mile horse."
Donoghue added: "He ran well in the Galway Plate where he had a lot of weight and I thought he had the class to win this. He jumped well, we went a good gallop and I was just hanging on in there but, as the race went on, his jumping started to get me onto the bridle and it was a good performance.
"Peter asked me when I came into the ring was I confident? I told him I thought he was the biggest certainty I rode in a long time, so at least I was right!
"Maybe small fields do suit him. I'd say the two mile-six in Galway just stretched him but it was still a good run.
"He's a very good horse and I'd say that will do his confidence good."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards interviewed C.P. Millar, rider of Effernock Fizz, concerning his use of the whip in final half mile of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. C.P. Millar accepted he was in breach of Regulation 10 and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Raceday Stewards found C.P. Millar was in breach of R.10.3(g)(frequency) and considering his record in this regard they cautioned him on this occasion.
P. Townend, rider of Mt Leinster, trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount jumped poorly.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
