Darroun gives Mullins and Walsh a double

Darroun mightn't have delighted Ruby Walsh or indeed favourite backers when getting a wake-up call after the last with a circuit to go but it was ultimately easy for the grey in the www.tippearyraces.ie Beginners Chase.

The jumping of the successful Dalakhani gelding was good when it mattered most. Bringing up a double for his trainer Willie Mullins and rider Ruby Walsh (after Arctic Fire in the first), Darroun took over entering the straight.

His leaps at the last two were excellent and the Mrs Susannah Ricci-owned five-year-old was twenty lengths better than Carhue (raced too keenly) at the finish.

In contrast to the winner, second market choice Reafadda didn't always convince with his fencing and he was beaten from before two out before paying the penalty when coming down at the last.

"He's starting to get the hang of it. He jumped a lot better – the bit of drier ground and the flatter track helped him," reported Walsh afterwards. (TW & EM)