Seven pound claimer Adam Short impressed with his patient handling of Benarty Hill a good winner of the Down Royal Handicap Chase.

Owned and trained locally by Liam Lennon, Benarty Hill actually ended up a bit further back through the race than Short wanted, according to the jockey, after being a bit ponderous over the opening couple of fences.

A point-to-point winner back in 2015, Benarty Hill always had the leaders in his sights though, despite being at the rear of the field.

Once getting the space to launch his bid from three out, the 8/1 victor eventually put eleven lengths between himself and the favourite, second placer, Goldmineinthesky

There was then a margin of two lengths to the third home, British raider, Under The Red Sky

Thankfully Glacial Shadow and Shanklys Dawn and their respective riders, were up and okay after late spills.

"He's a fun type of horse. He had a few wee issues last year. We'll probably keep him in that company," stated Lennon.

"It's very testing out there, in fairness Adam took his time with him. He said they went a good gallop so he was in no panic. I actually left it to him."

R.P. Treacy, rider of Killare Castle trained by Paul W. Flynn, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made mistakes at the first two fences and didn't handle the ground.

(MG & EM)