Flanagan in the pink as he records second career treble

It was marketed as Race In Pink Day for breast cancer research, and the racing community responded, even to the extent of valet Paul Fox importing pink coloured breeches for the jockeys to wear in the 3m conditions hurdle.

The race was expected to be the latest procession for Wicklow Brave but plenty of unexpected excitement occurred, firstly when the long odds-on favourite fell at the fourth.

Thankfully, horse and rider Ruby Walsh were both unscathed, but it left the way clear for something to take advantage and that one was the Colin Bowe-trained Sweet Home Chicago in the hands of Sean Flanagan, who stayed on strongly from the last to win going away from front-runner Val De Ferbet.