Sunday 19 February 2017 17:23, UK
Ball D'Arc came home with his head in his chest when landing the Flyingbolt Novice Chase at Navan.
With Identity Thief a significant absentee, just three runners went to post for the Grade Three contest and the outsider of the trio, Tully East, never threatened to land a meaningful blow.
The Enda Bolger-trained Ballyoisin was the 4/5 favourite to follow up last month's impressive victory at Fairyhouse, with Gordon Elliott's Ball D'Arc a 6/4 shot off the back of winning the valuable Dan Moore Memorial Chase on the same card.
Ballyoisin led for much of the way under Barry Geraghty, with Bryan Cooper always on his tail aboard Ball D'Arc.
There was little to choose between the pair and neither had gone for everything when Ballyoisin crashed out three fences from the finish.
The favourite's exit allowed Ball D'Arc to ease his way to a 19-length success.
"He's a grand horse and the conditions suited him," said Elliott.
"You don't know what would have happened if Barry had stood up but we got the luck of the draw.
"Bryan said he was travelling but for me they were travelling as well as each other.
"We might look at the Ryanair Gold Cup in Fairyhouse for him. Over two miles he definitely needs that ground, but I'd say he might be all right on a bit better ground over two and a half."
