Easy Fella © Photo Healy Racing
135-rated hurdler Easy Fella was far too good for his rivals in the 2m7f beginners' chase and scored by a wide margin.
Rachael Blackmore took her time on the son of Yeats who jumped well on this first start over fences. Gradually improving through the field, the seven-year-old took over in front five out and was untroubled from that point to beat Prairie Dancer by 18 lengths.
"He did what we hoped," said winning trainer Henry de Bromhead.
"It took a bit for him to warm up to his task, but I thought he jumped really well then. I'm delighted for the Cunninghams (owners) and Rachael was super on him, as ever.
"He goes on the softer ground but it definitely seems to be better on nicer ground and we thought he could have a nice season chasing, so we said we’d put him away and have a go at this.
“Once he got jumping, he really got it and seemed to really enjoy it. No better person than Rachael to give him confidence — she’s brilliant.
“There’s a three-mile novice at Punchestown, potentially, and there might be a bit of a gap then, but we’ll work our way along and see how we go.”
Quotes from Thomas Weekes