THE Real Whacker’s thrilling success in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase may go down as a win for Britain in the Prestbury Cup but it was celebrated like an Irish victory for former Co Limerick trainer Paddy Neville, who recorded the biggest triumph of his career since relocating to Yorkshire.

A massive improver since sent chasing, the Mahler gelding was given a fine ride on the front end by Sam Twiston Davies and just about managed to hold on close home in the face of a stiff, late challenge posed by Gerri Colombe.

Connections of The Real Whacker had been contemplating a rare tilt for a novice at this season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, they were rewarded for following the more orthodox path. Next year they can dream of a crack at the Blue Riband event.

Neville said: “He toughed it out and is a lovely horse. The ground was a bit soft for him - we were dreading that - but it worked out. He’s won three times here; I don’t think I’ll run him anywhere else!

“We’ll mind this horse for next year and hopefully come back for the Gold Cup. We’ll give him a good summer. He might go to Punchestown but we’ll see how he comes out of this. He’ll probably go to Listowel in the autumn because it’s one of my favourite tracks.”

Important move

The Real Whacker’s short-head success was richly celebrated by co-owners Davy Mann, Rebecca Dennis and Alan Duffus. It also highlighted the impressive uplift in Neville’s fortunes since switching his operation to the UK, having saddled just three winners over jumps in his last five seasons in Ireland.

“This is my first season with a licence in Britain,” said Neville. “I was assistant to Ann Duffield while my licence was coming through - I was in charge of her jumpers - and we had a few nice winners. It’s working out great.

“I trained in Ireland for 15 years, and had good winners there as well, but the last couple of years were getting tough. I made the move because I couldn’t get any owners in Ireland, just couldn’t get them. Hopefully it will work away here.”

Dual Cheltenham Festival winner Sir Gerhard disappointed when pulled up but Irish-trained horses still managed to finish second (Gerri Colombe), third (Bronn) and fourth (I Am Maximus).