No stopping veteran Spot Thedifference
Owned by JP McManus and trained by Enda Bolger, the veteran rarely runs a bad race over the banks course and despite taking the race in 2004 and 2005, he was allowed to go off at 5-1.
The mount of JT McNamara cruised through the race with more fluency than normal and produced his usual charge towards the line to beat Star Performance by a length.
McManus said: “That was pretty exciting and JT said he travelled better today than when he won this race in the past – he must be getting better with age.
“It takes a master to get one ready for this sort of race and hopefully he will be back here next month.”
The winner’s stablemate, Buailtes And Fadas, finished third but collapsed and died moments later.
Bolger enjoyed better fortune in the opening race when Darby Wall made amends for a fall at the previous meeting by battling to success under McNamara in the paddypower.com Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.
The 6-1 chance travelled like a dream for his pilot and after nudging into the lead turning for home, he was all out to hold the rallying No Guarantees by a neck.
Bolger said: “He was free and fresh the last time he ran here so we changed his training regime and he settled better.”
“He was running out of steam at the end there so we will probably drop him back to two miles and five furlongs for another amateur riders’ race at the next meeting here in December.”
Moon Over Miami produced an impressive turn of foot to capture the Grade Two Anglo Irish Private Banking Novices’ Hurdle .
The five-year-old was one of the less fancied runners and was sent off at 16-1, with Irish raiders Cuan Na Grai and Kalderon dominating the betting.
But after being settled well off a frenetic pace, Noel Fehily’s mount crept into the race down the far side of the course before charging up the hill to secure a snug one-length victory.
War General looked to have seen off his only danger in the shape of Mill House Girl after jumping the last, but Moon Over Miami came with a withering late run to foil the grey’s challenge.
Cashmans and Paddy Power introduced the winner at 33-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Cuan Na Grai trailed in a distant and eased-down sixth.
Connections of War General suffered a cruel blow when Tom Taaffe’s charge collapsed after the line and died due to internal bleeding.
