Synopsis takes fences in her stride

Gordon Elliott's Synopsis made a successful transition to fences when enjoying a snug victory in the opening mares' beginners' chase at Thurles.

The 5/4 favourite was hunted around off the pace by Jack Kennedy before making good headway coming to the third last.

Some four horses jumped it almost in unison but Kennedy sent Synopsis on after the penultimate fence.

The pair went for home and it was only Fintara and Robbie Power who were able to chase them.

Synopsis cleared the last, though, and bounded away on the run-in to put seven lengths on Fintara (9/2 from 11/2).

Gordon Elliott said: "She was entitled to win on ratings and the race just came for her. She'll mix it between the flat and jumps and David (Spratt, owner) has a lot of flat horses and has a race picked out for her on the flat in a month's time.

"She is a novice (chaser) for the summer now."

And in reference to the cold snap that affected Irish racing, he quipped: "It's nice to have a winner - we haven't had one for 11 days!"

Synopsis, a six-year-old mare by Azamour out of a Pivotal mare, was twice successful on the flat for Ger Lyons.

She landed a valuable fillies' handicap on the level at Navan for Elliott in October before winning a handicap hurdle at Punchestown in November.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes