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.