Disko and Sean Flanagan pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Disko made it double on the card for his trainer Noel Meade, as he ran out a good winner of the BETDAQ.COM E25 In Free Bets Beginners Chase.
The son of Martaline won a bumper and maiden hurdle in 2015, but disappointed when stepped up to Grade 1 company in Tattersalls Ireland Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Making his debut over fences today he was sent off the 9/10 favourite with Sean Flanagan in the saddle.
Settled in third, the grey victor made a bad mistake at the seventh. He improved to lead five fences from home, and stretched clear after the last, going on to score easily by eight lengths. Last Goodbye finished second at 7/2 under Brian O'Connell for Liz Doyle, while Three Wise Men was two and a half lengths back in third under David Mullins for Henry De Bromhead also at 7/2 (6's last night and from 9/2 on-course).
Noel Meade, who was successful in the first with Stretchingthetruth said afterwards: "That was good. Sean said he just ran a bit free down the hill where he made the mistake. Some people say a fall is good for a horse. I've never agreed with that but a mistake can crown them, and he jumped well after that today.
"He had a stress fracture of his stifle last season, and hopefully he comes home okay. He could go for the Drinmore, and I wouldn't mind staying over two and a half miles for the moment, and he could go up to three miles at Christmas.
"Gigginstown have a lot of horses to consider, and we will have to see what plans are made.
"I would say the further he goes the better he is, and fences are a big help to him as he's so athletic. He was still a bit keen today but fences are helping him to settle."
Sean Flanagan added: "He gives you the feel that everything is completely effortless. There was one or two moments that he got in a bit tight but he will improve from every aspect of it.
"He stuck his head behind his legs (when making the mistake), and he can be a bit like that at home, he can be just a bit rushy.
"He was nearly doing a bit too much in behind but when he went out and had a look where he was going he settled and really jumped great after that. It's all effortless to him.
"Ideally he probably wants ground a bit softer, so when he steps up in grade and they go a bit quicker I think he could be something really nice to look forward to."
Paddy Power go 16/1 about the winner for the JLT & RSA Chase.
STEWARDS REPORT
D.J. Mullins, rider of Crest (GB) trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount got very tired in the latter stages of this race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
