VAL De Ferbet (6/4) opened his account between the flags as he just prevailed in a thrilling conclusion to the open lightweight, a race that lived up to its billing as the day’s feature race. Reunited with Mark O’Hare for the first time since the pair landed a two-mile QR maiden on the level at Clonmel in March 2018, the 10-year-old, who had made much of the running, jumped the final fence alongside the four-timer-seeking My Story and Ascot hunter chase winner Marinero, before digging deep to prevail by a half-a-length.

“I am just delighted to have him back in good form as he lost his way a little bit last season,” said Andrew McNamara of the Andrew Heffernan-owned French-bred following his eighth career success.