The Gigginstown stud owned Tout Est Permis preserved his highly progressive profile since joining Noel Meade this season by just coming out best in an exhilarating finish to the Horse & Jockey Chase at Thurles on Sunday afternoon.

The six-year-old gelding is now three from three for the Co.Meath trainer this term after this Grade 2 victory in what was previously known as the Kinloch Brae Chase.

However, success looked very dubious as Tout Est Permis made a shattering error four out but gradually wore down the front-runner after the last, and the 13/8 favourite just got up in the final stride under a masterclass of a ride by jockey Sean Flanagan to prevail by a short-head at odds of 13/8.

Trainer Noel Meade insisted “”I haven’t enjoyed a winner as much in a long time because I was down at the final fence and I was sure he was beaten, and I couldn’t believe he got up”.

 “The story is he wants further and softer ground as well as it was plenty quick for him. What will happen next, I don’t know but he could well run in the Ryanair. He is improving and he is putting on weight and getting stronger all the time”

Ultimately, Jockey Sean Flanagan was the difference in winning and losing the race, his persistence was nothing short of astonishing. This is not the last time we will be chatting about Tout Est Permis this season.