Handicap ratings were proven right in the Gerard O'Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase as 1/1 favourite Max Flamingo ran out a comfortable winner.

Jack Kennedy ’s mount, seventh in the Irish Grand National on his previous outing, lived up to his mark of 144 as, having been prominent throughout, he went on after three out to beat the 128-rated Baptism Of Fire by a comfortable four lengths.

Winning trainer Francis Casey said: "I was very happy with him, he is improving the whole time.

"In the National he was the unlucky horse and had no race at all. He got boxed in and in fairness to Denis (O'Regan, previous jockey) he tried to get him jumping into it but kept jumping into the back of horses. He never got a breather and ran a remarkable race under the circumstances.

"Jack (Kennedy) says he would win a Grade 2 but whether or not he'd go for a Grade 1 I don't know. He said he'd love to ride him in the Galway Plate but that's another day so we'll see. Denis said he'd win a Munster National or maybe the Irish National next year.

"He came home from the Irish National and didn't blow in the yard and put on 25 kilos since. He's hot property at the moment but needs a month's break."

Quotes from Tom Weekes