Ilikedwayurthinkin completed a double for Gavin Cromwell at Galway, as he battled to a hard-fought win in the BetVictor Chase.

Successful on his fifth start over fences at Ballinrobe last month, the son of Yeats was expected to follow-up this afternoon, going off the 5/6 favourite.

Settled in third by Mark Walsh, the JP McManus owned victor wasn't fluent at the fifth last and again at three fences from home.

Left in second at the last, he was soon pushed along in pursuit of Eleazar Des Neiges Ridden to the front inside the final furlong, the bay victor was kept up to his work in the closing stages, coming home three-parts of a length to the good.

Eleazar Des Neiges, who was returned at 2/1, had to settle for second under Mike O'Connor for Henry de Bromhead, while Soldier Of War was another twenty-four lengths away in last.

The front-running Majestic Maid was headed and pushed along in second when she fell at the last.

Cromwell, who was earlier successful with Pour Pavore said: "His jumping let him down a fair bit and he had to dig deep enough in the end.

"Maybe something like the Troytown Chase would be an option but he'd be lost in a handicap jumping like that today. He made four or five fair mistakes and would want to improve a lot."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed M.P. O'Connor, rider of Eleazar Des Neiges (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who accepted that he was in breach of Regulation 10 and apologised for his actions. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied M.P. O'Connor was in breach of Regulation 10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record, they suspended him for 2 racedays.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes