Trainer Tony Mullins summed things up nicely with his, "he loves these uphill finishes, jumps super and battled away today," as Battling Boru added to his Downpatrick gains from nine days previous, in the Renvyle House Hotel Handicap Chase at Galway.

Already a course winner at Ballybrit, the Danny Mullins-ridden Battling Boru (owned by the Shoot A Hoop Syndicate - four Burke brothers from Athlone) proved best in an exciting conclusion up the straight with Venture Lazarus

"Tracks like here or Navan suit him, with their uphill finishes, and he is a great horse around this 109, 110 mark," added Tony Mullins.

"He'll be penalised for today and won't run once the ground turns soft or heavy."

Favorite Bendala Beau came down at the first whilst Battling Boru made a lot of it on his way to a neck verdict.

D.J. Mullins, rider of Tavern Times trained by Thomas Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount finished lame.

The Stewards interviewed R.C. Colgan, rider of Polish Partisan concerning his use of the whip from the last fence.

Evidence was heard from the rider concerned.

Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that R.C. Colgan was in breach of R10(3)(b) by the continued use of his whip after his chance of winning or being placed was clearly gone and consequently suspended him for 2 days having taken his previous record into consideration.

(TW & EM)