A SPATE of absentees, many of them due to quick ground on the chase course, led to depleted fields at Gowran Park on Saturday where Sean Flanagan saw his patience rewarded when bringing Visionarian from last to first to win the featured PWC Champion Chase.

The old adage about backing the outsider of three proved correct once again in this Grade 2 as Flanagan allowed the race develop in front of him before producing the 10/3 chance to lead two out and Basil Holian’s nine-year-old came home four lengths in front of French Dynamite.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell said: “Things certainly hadn’t gone to plan since we got him as he wasn’t right. I was confident enough he’d run well but didn’t expect him to win.

“The Galway Plate was initially the plan but he just wasn’t right at that time and then was well beaten the last day but he is back on track now.

“Last night and with the weather forecast, we thought we mightn’t be running but it went the other way and it suited us.”

Winning debut

The Gordon Elliott-trained Rainbow Trail (8/1) made a winning debut over fences in the two miles, four furlongs beginners’ chase.

Disputing from the off alongside odds-on favourite Encanto Bruno, Gigginstown House Stud’s six-year-old had his task eased significantly when the latter was pulled up quickly after jumping four out and he kept on in the straight to beat stablemate Shajak by a length and a half.

Elliott said: “He is only just ready to start off and hadn’t done a piece of work but I thought I’d let him tip around here. Obviously, the race cut up (seven non-runners) but there is loads of improvement in him.

“He is not a big massive horse and will be more of a handicapper than a graded horse.”

MIDNIGHT Our Fred (2/1 favourite) was prominent throughout under Danny Mullins in the two and a half-mile handicap chase and, despite jumping left, came home an easy 14-lengths winner from Charlie Luciano.

The seven-year-old has unfinished business at Cheltenham later this month after second-place finishes in three consecutive Prestbury Park chases last season

Tramore-based John Flavin trains the winner for Florence and Emily Lockwood and commented: “He loves that ground and it takes a fair one to jump with him as he is an unbelievable jumper.

“He is better going left-handed and we’re going back to Cheltenham in three weeks’ time.

“He had been eligible for an amateur riders’ chase that day but has won too far today, although I think Danny did that on purpose, to keep the ride!

“He might now get in off bottom weight in the three mile and a furlong William Hill Handicap Chase.”

Sent off the 4/6 favourite, Apple’s Of Bresil ran out an easy winner of the Joe Bollard Memorial Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.

The six-year-old grey gelding made every post a winning one under Michael O’Sullivan to beat Mollys Kingdom by six and a half lengths. Trainer Barry Connell said: “He is a galloper and we’ll have a look at the Monksfield at Navan next month, if the ground is suitable and not gone heavy. He will only come into himself as a chaser next year.

Connell owns the gelding in partnership with Tim O’Driscoll and added: “We have a few outside owners and they are people with patience.

“Our horses mightn’t see the track for three years after they’re bought, as we bring them through our own system. If they take two years, they take two years and we’re not going to rush them.”

Diamond stars for Sexton

ROCKY’S Diamond (12/1) defeated older rivals in the Jack Duggan Memorial Handicap Hurdle for trainer Declan Queally and jockey Kevin Sexton.

Previously successful when landing a major touch for connections at Limerick in April, Mrs Margaret Kiely’s winner was patiently ridden and got up close home to deny gallant front-runner Happy Jacky by half-a-length.

Afterwards Queally’s son and namesake reported: “The horse has learned and grown up a lot. The fact he had won before the Punchestown Festival means he isn’t a novice beyond December so we’ll look for a staying novice hurdle for him before then. He is only a four-year-old so to beat those older horses was good and he hit the line strong.”

Made all

Finnians Row (4/1 favourite) made all under Paddy O’Brien to win the Golf Memberships At Gowran Park Handicap Chase.

Pushed along entering the straight as a whole host of challengers queued up in behind, the Famous Name gelding saw them all off and lasted home to beat Bite That by half a length.

Trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “He seems to be happiest jumping and galloping, so that was the plan. He jumped and travelled well and Paddy said he gave him a breather turning in and away he went again. Paddy rides out for me one day a week.”

“He’ll go on soft ground but not on the extremes. It is great for the ladies (owners Anne McCartan and Frances Smyth) who are from the north but missed the last day he won.”

Lasted home

Trained by Conor O’Dwyer for his wife Audrey and ridden by their son Charlie, Solar Falcon (20/1) just lasted home in a blanket finish to the three-year-old maiden hurdle.

Always towards the head of affairs, the Ribchester gelding was game under pressure to score by a neck from You Done Well. Charlie O’Dwyer said: “It wasn’t a surprise as we have always liked him but he just wasn’t fast enough for the flat. He is a gorgeous-looking horse and we were looking forward to going hurdling as he jumps well.

“We changed tactics and made the running and he is the type who stays very well so will want further. Winter ground can only help him.”