With first-time cheek-pieces deployed Fitzhenry put in a gritty performance under Barry Geraghty to land the Grade B Whatoddspaddy Novice Handicap Chase at Naas.

This two and a half miler didn't really develop until the straight when several still held claims.

Often ridden more prominently, Danny Mullins (bidding for a quick double) elected to take his time on eventual runner-up Last Encounter

He looked a likely winner when hitting the front from the final fence.

However Last Encounter found a determined rival in the J P McManus-owned and Paul Nolan-trained Fitzhenry.

It was nip and tuck to the line where a neck separated them.

"It's great. He's a little unlucky not to have won his last four in a row, he was on the wrong side of the photo finishes," said Nolan.

"He got hindered at the last again and I thought he wasn't going to get back up again but in fairness to Barry he galvanised him.

"He'll probably head to Navan now for the three-mile final in March.

"He's a horse that will improve with a bit of age as well, he's a little bit of a shell of himself. It's great that he's won a decent pot."

(GC & EM)