Jack Kennedy extended his advantage in the jockeys’ championship to six when landing the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase aboard Western Fold at odds of 18/1.

The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old completed a four-timer last year, led by wins in the Galway Plate and a Grade 2 at Punchestown, before placing in two Grade 1s. He didn’t fire at Cheltenham and was unseated at Fairyhouse next time out, but everything went his way on Tuesday.

Settled towards the back of the field, the Weldspec and Dee l’Estrange-owned bay quickened as the field tightened turning for home and was ridden on the stands’ side to challenge at the second last.

Leaping into the lead at the final fence, Western Fold ran on gamely to score by three and three quarter lengths from Fleur In The Park, who had provided Andy Slattery and Cian Quirke with their first Grade 1 in the WillowWarm Gold Cup earlier this month.

Kitzbuhel, who was sent off 4/5 favourite, attempted to make all but was headed before the second last and was pulled up before the next. The I.H.R.B. veterinary officer reported Kitzbuhel to be post-race normal, while Paul Townend reported that his mount made a mistake at the second last and lost its action.

Very proud

“We just weren’t getting the rub of the green today, but we’ve got a Grade 1 winner now, so happy days,” Elliott said after the race.

The master of Cullentra currently heads the Irish trainers’ championship, but despite another Grade 1 win, is very much aware of the difficulty in holding off Mullins this week.

“If you do your sums, we’ve absolutely no chance,” he commented. “We’ve had a great year. I’m very proud to be leading Willie Mullins down to the last week of the season, it’s unbelievable. We know where we are and what we have to do going forward and we’ll keep trying.”

On future plans for Western Fold, the trainer added: “He’ll have a little break now. Initially we thought we’d go for the American Grand National. It’s a Grade 1, so it’s nothing to be sneezed at. I’m not saying we won’t go there, but we’ll enjoy today and see what happens.”

Adding to the special nature of Western Fold’s Grade 1 win was the fact that the Westerner gelding was bought by Elliott with long-time friend Bobby O’Ryan.

“Delighted for Bobby,” Elliott said. “He’s bought us a lot of good horses over the years.”