TOUT Est Permis got up in the final stride to edge out the front-running Sub Lieutenant in a pulsating finish to the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles.

Sub Lieutenant looked like making all the running, but the grey Tout Est Permis (13/8 favourite) – winner of the Troytown Handicap Chase when last seen – rallied on the flat to nail his rival by a short-head and complete a hat-trick.

It was a one-two for owners Gigginstown House Stud and a double for trainer Noel Meade and jockey Sean Flanagan, who had been successful with First Approach earlier.

Meade said: “I haven’t enjoyed a winner as much in a long time, because I was down at the final fence and I was sure he was beaten and I couldn’t believe he got up.

“The story is he wants further and softer ground as well as it was plenty quick for him.

“What will happen next, I don’t know, but he could well run in the Ryanair. He is improving and is putting on weight and getting stronger all the time.

“We were very sweet on him today and the other horse (Sub Lieutenant) is a good horse on his day. The mistake he made was a bad one and he should learn a lot from the race.

“I’d me more inclined not to go to Gowran now (for the Red Mills Chase) as it could empty him out over two and a half miles there. I think he’ll go to Cheltenham and he wouldn’t run again (before Cheltenham), but I’ll have to talk to the bosses first.”

Meade also has Road To Respect for Cheltenham, and he added of Tout Est Permis: “He is in both the Ryanair and Gold Cup and while he’d love the Gold Cup trip, he is only six so we’ll see.

“If the ground was soft maybe the Ryanair, if it wasn’t maybe the other one, but that will be a decision that will be made with Michael and Eddie (O’Leary).”

JJ Slevin came in for the spare ride on Sub Lieutenant for trainer Henry de Bromhead after Rachael Blackmore had been stood down following falls in the two previous races.

Camelia De Cotte ran the opposition into the ground to record a convincing success in the Grade 2 Order Of St George Coolmore NH Sires Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Paul Townend was in cruise control on the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old as she took her record to five wins from six starts over fences.

The 11/10 favourite quickly built up a handy lead and was never in any danger as she strolled home 20 lengths clear of Grey Waters in second place.

Mullins was not present, but Townend said of the Rich Ricci-owned winner: “That was probably her best performance and fences have just turned her inside out.

“She has jumped out to her left a few times and in Listowel she actually went right so that’s just her.

“She is a tricky ride and is not straightforward, but that was an impressive performance.”

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