Royal Tara hacked up to justify the faith of those that backed him into 2/1 second favourite in the Glenview And Rathbarry Stud Novice Hunters Chase at Tipperary.

An eight-year-old now, Royal Tara had only appeared in a couple of point-to-points to date, winning the last of these on Easter Sunday at Quakerstown.

Here under Derek O'Connor he showed himself to be in a different league to the placers, Dingle Gin and favourite, Dimple up the straight. The margins at the line were three and a quarter lengths and seven and a half lengths.

Veterinary surgeon and veteran winning handler John Hassett said in the aftermath: "He's entered at Killarney but it's unlikely he'll run as we'd be getting greedy!

"He's in the sale at Doncaster at the end of the month."

Mr B.O. Walsh, rider of Ar Fheabhas Ar Fad trained by P.G.Coffey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

(TW & EM)