Touch The Eden moves into graded company Touch The Eden put in a superb round of jumping as he landed the Grade 2 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase in Limerick with Paul Townend in the saddle. Having been victorious in a Navan novice chase over two and a half miles last time, he followed up by two and a half lengths in this three mile contest to justify 2/1 favouritism (from 3s at the track). He assumed the lead as the field embarked on their second circuit and despite being briefly headed by Rogue Angel coming to the third last, was back in command coming to the penultimate fence. Letter Of Credit (7/1) and Philip Enright chased him home, a length in front of Folsom Blue. Domination was uneasy in the market, easing out to 3/1 from 9/4 and he was well beaten in fifth, nearly 40 lengths behind the winner. Paul Townend said: “He got his own way and was able to make most of the running and it helped. I was a bit surprised he handled the heavy ground so well. “He is what he is, but he is a nice horse and is a staying chaser.” Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
