LISTENER JUST CHAMPION FOR MITCHELL
By Press Association Sport Staff
The Listener made up for a disappointing last season by giving Nick Mitchell his biggest win as a trainer in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal.
The grey made all the running for Andrew McNamara, who was content to set only a sedate pace in the early stages due to the testing conditions.
He was joined at halfway by the odds-on favourite Notre Pere, but when Andrew Lynch asked the jolly for a big leap five out he clipped the top and came down, leaving The Listener well clear.
Former Gold Cup winner War Of Attrition and fellow British raiders Joe Lively and My Will tried to get involved but the mud-lover refused to buckle.
The 7-1 chance, without a win since the Irish Hennessy in February 2008, came home in splendid isolation some 15 lengths ahead of My Will.
"I wouldn't be here without this horse, training or anything," said Mitchell.
"I would like to thank the owner for keeping the horse with me throughout a difficult year last year.
"He started to get some sort of form back at Punchestown, then he had a nasty fall at Leopardstown and was never quite right after that.
"Andrew came to ride him 10 days ago and I said I hoped it would be heavy ground as he would see a different horse on that surface.
"That's the horse's fourth Grade One win over here. He'll probably come back for the John Durkan at Punchestown in December."
McNamara capped a fine day by completing a double on Edward O'Grady's Jack Finch (3-1) in the Rainbow Telecom Handicap Chase while Mitchell was on target with Ellerslie George in the Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase at Wincanton.
Hercomesthetruth gave Paul Nicholls a second consecutive win in the Ladbrokes.com Chase.
After success with Noland 12 months ago, the champion trainer returned with the seven-year-old who made every yard of the running under Christian Williams.
Arkle winner Forpadydeplasterer was given a patient ride by Barry Geraghty in conditions that would not have suited and despite cruising up to the second-last he could not get past the gallant winner.
Siegemaster appeared to be travelling well but a mistake five out knocked the stuffing out of him and he had to settle for third.
Harry Fry, pupil assistant to Nicholls, said of the winner: "We're delighted with that. He did it nicely and we're over the moon with him.
"He'll probably follow the same route as Noland and come back here for the John Durkan."
Forpadydeplasterer is set to travel to Sandown for the Tingle Creek Chase next month and connections were pleased with the effort.
"I'm delighted with him. He gave a good blow after the third-last and will come on for the run," said trainer Tom Cooper.
"It's all systems go now and hopefully he'll get a bit better going next time. The Tingle Creek is next.
"He wants a fast-run two miles on good ground in an ideal world."
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