IRISH riders outnumbered the Australians four to three in last Sunday’s $80,000 Thackeray Steeplechase at Warrnambool, but the best Shane Jackson, Tom Ryan, Johnny Allen and Martin Kelly could muster was; 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.

Holding them at bay was the dual Grand National Steeplechase winner Bashboy with Steven Pateman up, the pair on their way to a third straight Thackeray Steeplechase, in a race being used as Grand National Steeple lead-in for the third time.

“He’s just an old marvel,” said trainer Ciaron Maher of the 11-year-old Perugino gelding. “There are some younger horses on the way up that are starting to put pressure on him but he dug deep.

“He’s got a bit of fight of him the old fella and he had the conditions to suit today. We aim to peak him in the (Grand) National (Steeple) each year and this is his kick-off point. You can see he’s had a good blow there so he should improve.”

Joined at the third last by Shane Jackson’s mount Mannertone, the pair went head to head over the last two fences before Bashboy edged away in the closing stages on the flat to win by a length, despite an 8kg advantage Mannertone’s way. Third was King Triton who had the services of Tom Ryan.

“What a special horse he is,” said Steven Pateman after Bashboy had lugged 72kgs to improve his jumps record to 12 wins and three placings from 16 starts.

“He’s been the best ‘chaser there has been in the modern era by far. I’m not going to get carried away, but he’s probably the best ‘chaser we’ve had since Crisp.”

The win completed a treble for Pateman after earlier hurdle wins on Arch Fire and No Song No Supper and sees him leap-frog Patrick Flood to head the Victorian Jumps Jockeys’ Premiership by one win.