Odds-on Franco De Port makes winning start over fences

The 8/15 favourite Franco De Port made a winning start over fences in the Killinan Beginners’ Chase.

The Coastal Path gelding was never far off the pace and got to the front before the final fence, passing the post six and a half lengths to the good over Whatsnottoknow(7/1), with Front View (7/2) back in third place.

The Willie Mullins-trained 5-year-old won two of his five starts over hurdles and this was his first start since being pulled up at Cheltenham in March.

“He is nimble and is a good jumper,” said winning rider Paul Townend.

“He pulled too hard in the Coral Cup and we put a line through that and maybe fences will bring about an improvement in him.

"He is not an over-big horse but is very sure of his feet and that is a big help around here especially."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes