Fosters Cross rolls back years to take Ballinrobe prize

Former Galway Hurdle winner Fosters Cross once again rolled back the years to land the featured Donal Downes Water Towers Chase in tremendous fashion at Ballinrobe (Julien Behal/PA Wire)

Thomas Kelly

Former Galway Hurdle winner Fosters Cross once again rolled back the years to land the featured Donal Downes Water Towers Chase in tremendous fashion at Ballinrobe.

The evergreen 12-year-old was actually second in the race four years ago, and despite winning his last two races, the Tom Mullins-trained inmate went off the 3/1 second favourite due to the weight of money for Special Tiara.

Winner of a Grade One novice chase at last year's Aintree Festival, Special Tiara was clearly expected to return to form by punters who backed him into 4/5 favourite but not for the first time, Henry de Bromhead's charge proved hugely disappointing.

The market leader quickly seized the initiative under Andrew Lynch, but Davy Russell aboard Fosters Cross ensured the advantage never became too big and the Tom Mullins-trained veteran jumped into the lead two out and stayed on strongly to beat De Bromhead's other runner, Enjoy Responsibly, by two-and-a-half lengths with the favourite well back in third.

Arthur Moore's Back Off Mate (7/2) landed the Corrib Oil Handicap Chase after edging out the front-running Hellofado, while Willie Mullins was on the mark in the novice chase with fencing debutant Rough Justice.

Capably handled by Paul Townend, the Michael O'Leary-owned evens favourite made all the running and despite jumping out to his left at several obstacles, he galloped on relentlessly to beat Definite Ruby by two-and-a-half lengths

Earlier, John Oxx was on the mark in the opening maiden as Declan McDonogh guided Marakoush to a comfortable success over Asbury Boss - much to the delight of those who backed him into evens favourite.

Willie McCreery's Bell Of The Ball (7/1) took the Follow Us On Facebook Handicap, scoring by two lengths from Grandma Dotty on her handicap debut, while Charlie Swan visited the winner's enclosure after his Eric The Grey (11/2) landed David Heneghan Memorial Rated Race thanks to a fine steer from Billy Lee.

Jim Bolger rarely leaves any meeting without a winner and his Gold Focus defied the steadier of 10 stone when produced from the rear by Kevin Manning with timely challenge to pip Pennys Angel to the JJ Burke Peugeot Handicap spoils.

Galway trainer Norman Lee took the closing handicap chase as Adrian Heskin steered Survival (4/1) to a half-length victory from Kanexh.