Scarpeta and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
On his first run since May the class of Ballymore Novices' Hurdle fourth placer Scarpeta shone through in the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan (Peugeot) Hurdle at Clonmel.
Paul Townend moved back to within one of Rachael Blackmore at the head of the jockey's 2018/19 table, as the Willie Mullins-trained Scarpeta beat Robin'hannon by eight lengths.
The runner-up ran very well at odds of 33/1 on his debut for Miguel Gunn, and though Scarpeta (1/2) wasn't flawless in the jumping department he asserted before the last for a comfortable win.
"We know he has a big engine but he has a bit to work on his jumping. It was a sign of the engine he has that he could be awkward over a few of the hurdles and still be on the bridle turning in," reported Townend on Scarpeta, going three miles for the first time here.
"He jumped the last better than any hurdle and he can go that distance and will come on for the run."
D.N. Russell, rider of Westland Row trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got tired.
(TW & EM)
