Swanfold scores for favourite backers

The 2/1 favourite Swanfold took the Charleville Cheese Beginners Chase for his trainer John McConnell with Mark Bolger aboard.

After running a cracker to finish a close third behind Harpsy Cord at Gowran last month when sent off at the massive odds of 66/1, the son of Moscow Society showed that was no fluke by winning today.

Trained by Eoin Doyle earlier in his career, the 6yo gelding was prominent throughout and joined the leader Big Game Hunter at sixth last.

He hit the front as they entered the straight and stayed on well from there to score by a length and three parts from the aforementioned Big Game Hunter back in second at 10/3.

The pair were nine and a half lengths clear of third placed horse who was Lord Only Knows at the odds of 16/1 under Philip Enright.

The well supported Castle Anshan who opened on track at 9/2 and was backed into 9/4 second favourite at the off, never gave supporters a run for their money as he pulled up early on.

Winning trainer John McConnell said afterwards: "I’m delighted with that. He didn’t cost me a ransom.

"My son Killian who is eleven picked him out at Tinahely point-to-point and I bought him.

"He was placed in a couple of point-to-point’s but he just wasn’t seeing out the trip.

"He is only a 6yo so he should get better and he wants better ground.

"He will go for a 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday now. He is worth looking after."