Darasso delivers in Thurles feature

Darasso came with a well timed run to land the spoils in the featured Listed Chase at Thurles this afternoon.

The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding went to post a well supported 11/10 favourite in the two-mile-six contest having produced some solid placed efforts already this season.

Mark Walsh held the nine-year-old up in the early stages before making ground up going to the third last fence.

He was pushed along entering the straight and stayed on to tackle Escaria Ten going to the final fence.

The French-bred gained a narrow advantage on the run-in and was holding his rival to the line to record a two-length win.

Darasso had been runner-up in the Galway Plate this summer and also third in the Kerry National. He was last seen finished third in Grade 2 company behind Blue Lord at Clonmel a fortnight ago.

Owner JP McManus' racing manger Frank Berry said afterwards:- “It was a lovely performance and he has been a great horse who turns up every day.

“The race was coming quick enough for him after Clonmel and Mark said they went a right good gallop and he picked up well.

"It was tight enough around here for him, it took a while to warm up into it and he was going as fast as he wanted to be going so he had to be patient on him. He gave him a great ride.

"If you had a yard full of him you'd be flying and Joseph has done a great job with him. We'll tip away in similar races and the bit of good ground is a help to him as well."

Paddy Power made the winner a 25/1 shot, from 33/1, for the Grand National

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)