Mark Walsh rode Andy Dufresne© Photo Healy Racing
The 1/2 favourite Andy Dufresne was a comfortable winner of the Garry Flood Landscaping Beginners’ Chase on his first start over racecourse fences.
Mark Walsh ’s mount went on after the third-last and was not extended to beat Exit Poll (15/2) by seven and a half lengths.
The Doyen gelding, a point-to-point winner in 2018, won a Grade Two at Punchestown as a novice hurdler last term and indeed, his third under a penalty in a subsequent Grade Two at Naas has been very much advertised already this season (first five home have all won races in recent weeks).
Paddy Power go 16/1 (from 33s) about the winner for the Arkle at Cheltenham and 16/1 (from 40s) for the Marsh Novices' Chase won by stablemate Samcro last season
Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said of the JP McManus-owned 6-year-old: "It was a good performance and very straightforward.
“He got close to the fourth last both times but apart from that he was very good.
“Speaking to Mark (Walsh) he said we could step him up in trip so I'd imagine he'll step up to two and a half miles the next day.
“I'll talk to his owners now but I'd imagine he'll go for something like the Drinmore.
“It looked like he was going better at the line than he was two out so I'd say a step-up in trip will suit him."
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
