Turban eases to victory in Cork opener

Turban survived a mistake at the second last to come home an easy winner of the opener at Cork this evening, the July 12th BBQ Evening Beginners Chase.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, the six-year-old son of Dom Alco was having just his second start over fences today.

He finished second to Beeverstown on his chasing debut at Limerick over Christmas but he made no mistake here, cruising into the lead on the run to the last before going on to score by an easy four and three parts of a length.

The Henry De Bromhead trained Darwins Fox was sent off the 5/2 second favourite but he was no match for the winner and had to settle for second under Andrew Lynch. Arnaud (5/1) finished back a further twelve lengths back in third on his chasing debut under Davy Russell for Charles Byrnes.

Just eleven of the eighteen runners managed to complete the two mile course with five falling, one being unseated and one pulling up.

Ruby Walsh said afterwards; "He travelled well and jumped super. I doubt he would handle summer ground but if we get another Irish summer God knows what he might do."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes