Pylon responds to Pressure from Power

Pylonthepressure gained an unlikely victory when finishing strongly to land the Templemore Beginners Chase at Thurles and in the process provided Robbie Power with his first winner for champion trainer Willie Mullins.

Rich and Susannah Ricci had two strong contenders here but 2/1 joint favourite Turcagua exited at the second fence and Pylonthepressure was on the back foot after a mistake at halfway.

The other joint favourite Le Martalin joined the front-running Balbir Du Mathan at the third last but Pylonthepressure was gradually making up ground approaching the last.

The Mullins-trained 9/2 chance stormed home between the pair on the run-in to such effect that he had three lengths to spare at the line.

The front-running Balbir Du Mathan took the runner-up spot with Le Martalin a length and a quarter further back, while the trio were 20 lengths and more clear of the remainder.

Mullins said, "It was a nice performance considering he jumped very big and deliberate down the back, and got out of the race when I thought he had a chance at the fifth last. His stamina just won it for him by staying on when the others had probably gone a little too fast out in front. He made the best of it but was probably fortunate enough to win.

"He has plenty of stamina and has no problem going a longer trip. I'll be trying to seen what I can win at home with him next."

He added, "We have a small family connection as when Robbie changed from show-jumping to racing he rode out in Doninga first and would have started off riding for my father."

(TW & AM)