Jumping the key as Doorman opens account

Incident-packed has become a cliché in connection with beginners chases but the phrase was certainly apt when describing the opening Thurles Beginners Chase. The Doorman ran out a comfortable winner under Mark Walsh but the preceding two and three quarter miles encompassed plenty of drama with two of the main fancies departing as early as the first fence. Once And Always and Like It A Lot both fell independently at that early stage, while Old Castletown was prominent until making a terrible blunder at the last with a circuit to go.

Ruby Walsh did really well to keep the partnership intact but that ended his challenge, and Saltmills Blackie gave Jonathan Burke a heavy fall at the second last.

Meanwhile The Doorman had headed the front-running Company Coming at the fourth last fence, and came home an easy eight lengths clear of the pace-setter who held off Marmaladeskies for the runner-up spot.

Winning trainer Mouse Morris said, “He was disappointing over hurdles last season but had point-to-point experience and jumped great today. It wasn't a great race and he has to improve to go up a bit (in class)."

(TW & AM)