Albert Bartlett hero Monkfish (a 3s on shot) impressed on his debut over racecourse fences, leading home a Willie Mullins one two in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.

The big chestnut, a point-to-point winner for Cormac Doyle, jumped well, always on the pace, and toyed with the opposition from two out.

In the end, another Closutton hope, and fellow County Wexford point-to-point graduate, Ontheropes chased home at a distance of four lengths. Diol Ker was let down by his jumping and finished fourth.

“You couldn’t ask for more. He missed the ditch where I gave him a squeeze and he changed his mind but you couldn’t ask for any better the whole way around,” said Townend.

“I gave him one squeeze down to the last and he picked up well. He’s very good.”

For the RSA Chase Paddy Power go 9/2 favourite, from 8/1, about Monkfish.

Powers later cut that to 'fours' on the back of "plenty of support."

S.F. O'Keeffe, rider of Arvicta trained by James Joseph Mangan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made several jumping errors.

E. Walsh, rider of Black Samurai (GB) trained by Sean Aherne, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made jumping errors early on.

(AM & EM)