Bolger wins cross-country with Heads Onthe Ground

Heads On the Ground maintained Enda Bolger's magnificent record around the cross country course by grabbing gold in the Sporting Index Handicap Chase to provide Nina Carberry with a second Festival success.

Standing dish Spot Thedifference – six times successful over the unique course and distance for the same connections – was unable to defy 11st 12lb this time but plugged away gamely to finish fourth.

Silver Birch (14-1) underlined his stamina in staying on well to chase the winner right to the line, but ultimately came up three and a half lengths short.

The Paul Nicholls-trained Le Duc, sent off at 8-1, faded late in the day and finished a further 12 lengths away back in third.

Carberry rode a supremely-confident race aboard the winner and was still content to sit some five lengths off the front two as the principals drew towards the penultimate obstacle.

As the front three swung into the home straight it looked for a moment as though Heads On the Ground might be short of room.

Carberry pushed the button and her mount quickened out of trouble to take up the running as the final fence loomed large.

Having flown it, she then had to get serious in the dying strides but was always doing enough to hold off Gordon Elliot’s runner-up to complete a great day for the family following the victory of her brother Philip in the Champion Hurdle.

Bolger was full of praise for his jockey: ``Nina rode a brilliant race. She got the inside when it mattered.

“I honestly thought half an hour ago that the ground was too soft for Heads On the Ground, but he handled it well and she gave him a great ride.

“I think it was the turning point of the race when she got the rail. I was also keeping an eye on Spot and JT (McNamara) said that he just got into the bottom of one of the banks which meant he was a bit further back than he wanted.

“He ran to finish fourth to his credit. We’ll review the situation when we get home, but I don’t think Spot is just finished yet. At level weights it would have been a different story.

“I’m very fortunate that I have one of the best owners in the world supporting me (JP McManus) and he lets me do what I want to do.

“I must also thank Dessie Hughes who had him before I got him and he helped me with his preparation.

“Today was Nina’s day and I was delighted for Philip earlier too.”