Joncol wins the Hennessy

The Paul Nolan-trained Joncol gave jockey Alain Cawley the biggest success of his career in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

The seven-year-old had finished third in the Lexus Chase at Christmas after looking the likely winner.

Connections had stated he would be ridden with more restraint this time and Cawley overhauled Cooldine well after the last, to deny last year's RSA Chase winner by a neck in a thrilling finish.

Ruby Walsh set out to make all on Cooldine and he looked to be back on form after disappointing when pulled up in the Lexus.

Schindlers Hunt looked the biggest threat though as the field turned into the straight, with Notre Pere and Money Trix caught flat-footed.

Joncol still had a few lengths to make up between the final two fences and despite jumping right, Cawley managed to get his mount home inside the final 100 yards with Schindlers Hunt not far in third after a mistake at the last.

Nolan said: "This is brilliant and days like this don't come round too often. I thought we were in trouble for a while but he is very gutsy and we held up him a bit longer compared to the Lexus.

"They went very steady, the ground was a little tacky and Alain gave him a great ride.

"We have been trying to do two jobs in freshening him up while not training him too hard.

"Cheltenham is at the back of my mind and he is only 50-50 to run there.

"If he does go, it will be for the Ryanair and I have no regrets not entering him for the Gold Cup with Kauto Star and Denman being in there. I would rather go for a race where he is in contention.

"If the ground stays right I'd love to run him in the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown."