Champion Chase: Road to Riches wins Down Royal feature

Paul Carberry won the Champion Chase on Road to Riches

Galway Plate winner Road to Riches made the step up to class one in style with an emphatic victory in the Champion Chase at Down Royal.

Paul Carberry steered Noel Meade's seven-year-old to an impressive success in what was the big feature in the Northern Ireland Festival of Racing.

Rocky Creek, fifth in this year's Grand National, was second with 9-4 favourite Boston Bob in third.

The impressive front-running Road to Riches won by 11 lengths.

"He got his own way today, which was a big help. I was able to get a couple of breathers into him," said veteran jockey Carberry.

"His jumping definitely made a difference. He did go left a small bit, but when he jumped the good ones he was making lengths.

"I saw the boys after the fourth-last niggling away, so I was happy enough to get another breather into him.

"He is very game and kept galloping all the way to the line. He is a very exciting prospect."

Eddie O'Leary, racing manger for owners Gigginstown House Stud, said: "His jumping is getting there and three miles is not a problem.

"I think we'll keep him fresh, not go to the well too often and the Lexus hopefully is the plan now."