Kates cruises to chasing success

Kates Benefit cruised around to make light work of opening her account over fences in the mares beginners chase at Gowran Park.

Ken Budds' charge looked a different class on paper in the 2m2f contest and so it proved as she made all for a four-and-three-quarter length victory.

Danny Mullins never had a moment's worry as the Beneficial mare proved foot perfect throughout and she had her rivals struggling before the turn for home.

Ellaway Rose came through to claim the runner-up spot in the straight but had no chance of pegging back the facile winner.

The 4/7 favourite was making her fourth start over fences and has kept good company before today. She was narrowly denied in a hot Grade 3 contest at Cork before Christmas.

“She deserved that and I would have been disappointed if she hadn't done it as easily as that,” said Budds.

“Ground permitting we'll look for a graded chase for her. This is her kind of trip and she seems better on soft or heavy ground.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)