St Pirran justified strong market support to give trainer Paul Nicholls another winner with
victory in the Grand Annual Chase Challenge Cup.
Ruby Walsh was going strongly on the 4-1 favourite coming to the second-last
as leader Reiziger began to give way.
Ground Ball (10-1) jumped the last upsides the eventual winner, but was no
match on the run to the line and went down by two and a half lengths.
Reiziger (33-1) plugged on for third, seven lengths back, with No Visibility
(14-1) fourth.
Nicholls said: ``He was given a super ride and this has been the plan for some
time.
"He schooled well at Wincanton last Friday with Cenkos.''
Walsh added: ``He doesn't do a lot in front but he won well enough in the
end.''
David Casey, who rode the runner-up, said: ``He travelled well and jumped for
me, but there were no excuses - a better horse beat us.''
Charlie Swan, who trains the seven-year-old, said a trip at Aintree may be on
the cards.
``He got the run of the race and jumped super, but we have no excuses.
"I hate
to see Ruby (Walsh) coming behind us - he is a nightmare.
``This is a tough horse and goes on any ground, though I wouldn't run him on
firm, and he could go to Liverpool now.''
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