Racing: Wins Now crashed out at the last under Tony McCoy as Pedrobob claimed the spoils in a dramatic Bewleys Hotel Manchester Beginners Chase at Leopardstown today.
The race lost a lot of its lustre when Nicanor was withdrawn with sore shins earlier today, but there was still plenty of interest, with the Niall Madden-trained Wins Now - fifth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle - sent off the 5-4 favourite.
His jumping was good in the main and McCoy even afforded himself a look round turning for home.
But Wins Now got in very close to the final fence as he was strongly challenged by the eventual winner, who had the benefit of a previous run this term.
The Tony Mullins-trained nine-year-old (100-30) was left in splendid isolation and came home a distance clear of Nassaro.
In the opening race, France's Royal Man revelled in the testing underfoot conditions with a bold front-running effort in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
His task was made slightly easier when the 13-8 favourite Well Run unseated his rider at the second-last, but the 9-1 shot did hold the advantage at that stage and kept on in the blustery conditions for a 10-length success.
"He jumps and stays and goes on soft ground," Trainer Charlie Swan said afterwards. "He had only ever won one chase before today and kept going up in the handicap, so he has deserved this.
"I'll have to see where we go from here but he could go to Punchestown for the National Trial over three miles and five furlongs."
A return to the venue is on the cards for Indian Pace after the six-year-old notched a brace in the hands of Kevin Coleman in the Bewleys Hotel Leeds Hurdle.
Trainer John Kiely is eyeing the Pierse Hurdle on January 13th for the 100-30 shot, who stayed on extremely well to get the better of Silver Jaro by half a length.
Kiely said: "He needed that 3lb claim and if he is not hit with too much of a rise he will hopefully be all right for the Pierse Hurdle next month."