The Echo Boy wins by a margin of three lengths at Ballinrobe

Top-weight The Echo Boy foiled Whatsafellatodo's attempt to win the veteran's handicap chase at Ballinrobe for a second consecutive year.

There were two fences to cross and more than a quarter of a mile to cover as JJ Slevin guided Whatsafellatodo past Nobody Home.

But Michael O'Sullivan timed his challenge on The Echo Boy perfectly, who leapt to the front at the last hurdle, so he was far from done.

Before the finish, the leader had Whatsafellatodo beat on the last turn and won by three lengths at 18/1 against the 6/4 favourite. At 13/2, Bythesametoken secured the third-place money, five lengths behind the lead.

Trainer Dermot McLaughlin said: "Michael said he had a blow at the second-last which he was entitled to as he's been off a long time. He was a good horse and we had to mind him and get him back. He loves that fast ground and Michael said he's a great horse to jump and measures his fences well. He was in good nick and I was hoping for a big run. He gets three miles so we'll see what's coming up for him. These veterans' races are a great idea for horses like him who've missed a year with injury, it's great to have them, and we'll see if we can find something similar for him in three or four weeks."