Now Is The Hour pips Better Times Ahead on the line to claim Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase 

FITTING FINISH: Jockey Eoin Staples with trainer Gavin Cromwell celebrate after winning with Now Is The Hour alongside groom Becky Rafter

The Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase produced a finish befitting the race’s illustrious history as Now Is The Hour nailed Better Times Ahead on the line to complete a 116-1 treble on the card for Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell, who had not saddled a winner with his previous 40 runners.

Captain Cody, heavily supported into 7-2 favouritism, was an early casualty but on the run to last Willie Mullins still looked on course to win the race for a record-extending 11th-time courtesy of Spanish Harlem but he unseated Seán Cleary-Farrell to leave the way seemingly clear for Better Times Ahead to land the prize.

However, jockey Eoin Staples got to work on 8-1 shot Now Is The Hour, a faller when looking sure to go close in last year’s National Hunt Chase, and the nine-year-old lunged late to ensure this would indeed be his hour.

“What a difference a day can make,” Cromwell quipped. “We’ve been on the cold list for a while so it’s well appreciated.

“This is unbelievable stuff and I wasn't sure if he had won, as it was close. Eoin was very good on him and is great value for his 5lb claim.

“It is the first time he has got his ground since he won a Grade Two hurdle race at Haydock.

“The race is a big part of the calendar with a huge history and while I had finished second in this race last year, it is great to have your name on the cup.” 

Now Is The Hour is owned by BDS Syndicate from Cork they were thrilled with victory.

“We’re over the moon,” said Denis Collins from Skibbereen. “Gavin always said there was a big pot in this fella and there’s nothing more fitting than the Thyestes Chase. We asked Gavin if he could get us a decent horse and he’s well able to get one of those. We were a bit unlucky at Cheltenham with Now Is The Hour but today is after making up for it. We couldn’t be happier.” 

Winning jockey Staples was similarly elated. “I grew up looking at this race. I’m only from about an hour down the road in Wexford and it’s a big thing in the south-east and to get an opportunity to even ride in it is huge but to go and win it is unbelievable.

“Once he got into a rhythm he was dynamite. Down over the last three fences, the strides weren’t coming for me and I started to panic a bit but he’s as tough as nails and he ground it out well, he really put his head down for me. It’s a big day, it’s magic.” 

Nick Rockett landed last year's Thyestes Chase before going on to win the Grand National but Cromwell indicated Now Is The Hour is unlikely to attempt the same double unless the ground comes up soft.

He will instead bid to settle some unfinished business at Cheltenham by having another crack at the National Hunt Chase.

“He again qualifies for the National Hunt Chase so will go straight there, despite having a penalty for winning this,” Cromwell added.

“You couldn't have said he was beaten when falling at the second-last at Cheltenham last March and he was a maiden (over fences) coming here, so it was a nice way to break his maiden tag.” 

The middle leg of Cromwell’s treble was provided by 11-2 shot The Lovely Man in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

“I thought he’d run well today but I thought he’d be a better chaser than a hurdler but he was very good again today so happy days,” Cromwell said of the winner before opening up on his recent lack of winners.

“There was definitely a period when my horses were out of form but I had a lot of moderate and badly-handicapped ones too, which probably made everything look a lot worse.

“We didn't get to restock like you'd love to for this season and last year we were so lucky to win big handicaps when everything fell into place. We had the first three home in the Dan Moore Chase last year but those same horses ran again this year when they were badly handicapped. That's the nature of the game.” 

The day began with Champagne Jury getting Cromwell off the cold list by justifying even-money favouritism in the Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.

Given the conditions, they sensibly went steady for much of the two-mile contest but the winner seized the initiative before the fourth obstacle and kept at it well to beat Eagle’s Quest by two and a quarter lengths.

“It’s very testing ground out there but the day he won his bumper at Naas it was very testing as well, though maybe not quite as deep as that.”