Winning instalment for Fenton
Last Instalment maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a taking all-the-way success in the Dr. P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The Philip Fenton-trained seven-year-old kept pulling out more for jockey Davy Russell to put his three rivals to the sword in this Grade One contest.
The 8-11 favourite drew clear again on the flat to beat the Willie Mullins-trained Call The Police by a length and a half. Mullins’ other runner Lambro was third with Shot From The Hip last of four.
Fenton said: ``He jumped off and went nice and sensible. My concern leaving the back straight was they were queuing up behind him to take him on.
“I was getting a bit worried it would turn into a sprint finish, but he answered Davy’s every call.
“My biggest concern was he might get beaten for toe with horses who were proven over shorter trips, but in fairness when Davy did set him alight he got a great answer.
“He’ll have an easy time of nine or 10 days and then he’ll be back on the gallops cantering. He doesn’t take a lot of work.
“We’ll find out in Cheltenham how good he is. That will be the next stepping stone.
“You’d hope with age on his side he’d be improving overall, but fences bring out the best in him.”
BetVictor cut Last Instalment from 10-1 to 7-1 for the Jewson Novices’ Chase and from 7-1 to 6s for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. Stan James go 5-1 from 7s for the RSA, with Paddy Power going 6s from 7s for that race.
Owner Gigginstown House Stud could also be represented in the RSA by First Lieutenant.
Fenton said: “Davy will have a dilemma as to who he will ride (in the RSA) but we have a capable substitute in Brian O’Connell.
“He is fairly adaptable and Cheltenham shouldn’t be a problem for him. The last thing I wanted today was a grueller before Cheltenham and he set a sensible pace.
“That ground was as quick as he would want it and I would love to see lots of rain before Cheltenham. He is a big topped heavy horse and might not be able to run if it turned up quick, with the Power Gold Cup at Fairyhouse being his plan B.
“He seems to have it all.”
