LIEUTENANT Command was a surprise 18/1 winner for Noel Meade in the feature Grade B Carrickmines Handicap Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday.

This looked a wide open affair beforehand, but in truth the race disentegrated, notably through the fall of Panda Boy, while Birchdale was pulled up before the last. The Gigginstown House Stud-owned winner battled well for his rider Michael O’Sullvian as he got the better of Mars Harper and Ilikedwayurthinkin on the run in, to record his first chase win since his debut over the larger obstacles.