Battle It Out surged ahead in the final stages to clinch victory for the father-son duo of Conor and Charlie O'Dwyer at Naas.
The JP McManus-owned gelding executed a well-timed move to overtake front-runner Shantreusse at the ultimate fence.
Taking the lead after the last jump, Battle It Out dominated the race, securing a commanding 13-length triumph in the €45,000 event. The 6/1 victor (9/1 earlier in the day) was competing in only his second handicap chase.
Reflecting on the win, O'Dwyer senior remarked,
“The conditions were ideal for him. He thrives on soft ground and a longer distance. His jumping was exceptional. Despite a bad fall at Punchestown, he has shown remarkable improvement.”
Carrying a light weight in the race, Battle It Out coped well with the strong pace set throughout. O'Dwyer senior added,
“He remains a work in progress and promises an exciting future. Next season holds great potential for him. His future races will heavily depend on ground conditions; we are unlikely to run him on firmer ground.”
O'Dwyer concluded,
“We will discuss further plans with Frank and JP McManus and align our decisions accordingly.”