Dads Lad off the mark over fences The 2m2f beginners' chase went to the Willie Mullins-trained Dads Lad (7/2) under Brian Hayes. The seven-year-old chestnut, a dual hurdles winner and fifth on chase debut, tracked the pace-setters and survived a chancy leap four out before taking the lead on the run to the second-last. He stayed on well to account for Vinnie Is Busy by a comfortable six and a half lengths. Hayes said: "Other than one mistake he was perfect and was spring-heeled off the good ground. Racing over those fences helped him settle and get home. "He travels very well and I was always conscious to hold on for as long as I could before going for him and thankfully he stayed going well. "He made a bad mistake in a hot beginners' chase at Wexford and we were happy with the run. I was delighted to keep the ride and he was down in grade here." Quotes from Tom Weekes
