Whiskeywealth and John Shinnick lift the first prize of €27,000© Photo Healy Racing
Whiskeywealth and John Shinnick grabbed Listed handicap chase honours in the feature at Gowran Park.
Front-running Mount Frisco was joined by Whiskeywealth after four out in this two-mile contest worth €45,000.
The pair approached the home straight with a couple of lengths advantage on top-weight Figaroc who noted being supported overnight.
Mount Frisco held a narrow advantage three out from Whiskeywealth in the centre and a closing Figaroc on the outer.
Figaroc travelled well for Sean O'Keeffe and the pair struck the front two out, however, the nine-year-old gelding didn't lift a leg there and completely demolished the advertising hoarding on the landing side.
His momentum weas halted and he yielded the lead to Whiskeywealth who sensed a fine opportunity.
The 5/2 favourite jumped the last well and was driven out by Shinnick to account for Mount Frisco (5/1 from 13/2) by a length and three-parts. Figaroc had no more to give back in third at 8/1.
“He was very disappointing in the Dan Moore (eighth at Fairyhouse on his penultimate start). I thought I’d got it wrong and he wasn’t good enough, but I’d say he hit a flat spot on the day," said trainer Terence O'Brien.
“Today was a bit lower class, but he did it well. He was in great form coming here and I was hoping he’d run a good race.
“He’s been very consistent, and we’re delighted to get a good pot. He was due to run in this race last year, but he scoped wrong a couple of days beforehand.
“He’s still improving and that was a career best over fences.”
Whiskeywealth reverted to fences to land this good pot having scored over flights in Naas last month.
O'Brien also gave an update on his Cheltenham contender, Answer to Kayf.
He said: "He’s going for the Martin Pipe because he’d probably be a stone wrong against Willie’s horses in the Albert Bartlett, and two and a half miles would suit him also.
“Johnny (Shinnick) will ride him, and he’s been in good form since his last run in Naas. I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
