Naas: Thedevilscoachman awarded Grade 3 novice after lengthy stewards' inquiry

There was a dramatic conclusion to the opening Grade 3 Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase as favourite Ramillies passed the post in front but lost the race in the stewards' room to Thedevilscoachman.

Despite there being just five runners in this staying novice contest, three of the field managed to get tangled up in the closing stages, an incident which led to a lengthy stewards' inquiry.

Ramillies passed the post first under Paul Townend, but the trouble came when Ireland's champion jockey manoeuvred to his right after the second-last fence. He almost shut the door on the Bryan Cooper-ridden Thedevilscoachman, who appeared to have the position between Townend's mount and the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Amirite. There was not much in it coming to the last when Amirite seemed to slip and jink to his left, further squeezing up Cooper's mount.

Ramillies edged to the lead jumping the last and under a mostly hands-and-heels ride he prevailed by a diminishing neck from Thedevilscoachman, the two pulling six and a half lengths clear of Amirite.

After the stewards awarded the Noel Meade-trained Thedevilscoachman the race, Cooper said: "I didn't want to be there too soon. I was in the first gap and I got closed out of it. I felt that if that had not happened I would have won. The best horse was second past the post. I suppose we're lucky we got it – I've a job for another week anyway!"

Meade said: "I think it was the right decision, and what made the decision was Paul coming across after the second-last in front of him. You could ask why Bryan didn't go around him, but he couldn't. Once Paul locked him up he had nowhere else to go other than straight. I think he was the best horse in the race.

"We'll talk to the powers that be and see where we go, but wherever he goes he will need soft ground. I think three miles is far enough for him."

Townend was found guilty of careless riding, but he escaped with a caution given his previous record.

Mullins dominant

Willie Mullins improved his career tally to 4,004 winners at the end of a landmark weekend as he notched up another treble to compensate for that opening disqualification. Next to Echoes In Rain, the most significant performance was that of Western Diego, whose victory in the 2m3f bumper saw him introduced at 6-1 for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper by Paddy Power.

Western Diego is now just 6-1 for the Champion Bumper after winning at NaasCredit: Patrick McCann

Sporting a first-time hood, the son of Westerner was keen in the hands of Patrick Mullins, who kept a very tight hold of his head throughout before letting him stride clear inside the last to score by six and a half lengths from Suttons Hill.

The collateral form is of interest as the runner-up had chased home Champion Bumper favourite It's For Me at Navan the previous week, and it is clear that the winner is very useful.

The champion trainer said: "That was a very nice performance, making all your own running is a hard thing to do around here. If the owners want to go to Cheltenham I imagine that's his ticket booked."

"We put the hood on him because he is free and Patrick wasn't going to hang around. He thinks he'll settle away in a more strongly run race."

Read these next:

Next stop Cheltenham: Echoes In Rain on course for Mares' Hurdle after easy Limestone Lad win 

'Dad would be proud' - Russell dedicates Ahoy Senor's brave Cotswold Chase win to late father 

Members' Club special offer: 50% off three months 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.