Donal Murphy
Make A Track gets the better of Vesper Bell
Fla's Long Shot crashes out at the first as Make A Track (Gigginstown colours) leads the way under Davy Russell
© Photo Healy Racing
After a highly encouraging debut over fences at Naas recently Make A Track went one place better this afternoon as he took the www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase for trainer Charlie Swan with Davy Russell aboard.
The 6yo son of Hernando was a decent performer over hurdles last season and on his chasing debut earlier this month he finished just a length behind Texas Jack.
That run was over 2m 3f and upped in trip to 2m 6f today he kept on best under pressure on the run-in to see off the Willie Mullins trained, Ruby Walsh ridden Vesper Bell (9/10fav) by a length and a quarter at the line.
The front pair went twelve lengths clear of Canaly who finished back in third under Bryan Cooper for Dessie Hughes at 8/1.
Charlie Swan said afterwards: "It's great to beat Willie. It is very hard to beat him!
"He is just below a graded horse but I wouldn’t mind a few more like him. He will go for a winners of one somewhere now.
"He is a good honest horse and his jumping is good and economical. He stays well but he doesn’t do a whole lot in front."
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)