Edwulf leads over the last from Mall Dini (far side) and Bachasson© Photo Healy Racing
Edwulf got his act together over fences to take the opening sportinglife.com Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding has failed to complete on a number of occasions but put in a good round of jumping in this 2m4f event.
The 9/2 chance travelled well to challenge in the straight and jumped past the well-backed 5/6 favourite Mall Dini at the final fence. Bachasson who did well to get involved after a mistake five out, was the only danger on the run-in but Mark Walsh’s mount kept on well to beat that rival by a length and three quarters.
Mall Dini weakened after the last to finish another four lengths away in third.
O'Brien said, “He was entitled to win one of these. He’s a very good jumper but at the same time his jumping hasn’t been brilliant. I think he made one mistake today but he was fairly good all the way.
“Mark thought he was getting better with racing and hopefully he continues to progress. We know he gets further too.
“I think he’s entitled to take his chance in a good race. We’ll see how he comes out of it and find a nice race for him in about three weeks time. I wouldn’t be against going for the 2m5f race at Leopardstown (Grade One Flogas Novice Chase).
“Last year he had a couple of decent horses behind him in Navan and he’s been running in very good beginners chases all along.
“Our Duke, who beat him the last day when he unseated, came out and won the Grade One. He nearly brought the third last with him then and was still upsides him going to the last. So he’d be entitled to a chance in a good race. Soft or heavy ground is good for him.”
Walsh said, “He’s been an unlucky horse because for a big horse he does jump well. He has loads of scope but just lacks concentration a bit. I gave him a squeeze at the last and he winged it.”
(GC & AM)
