Unexcepted impresses under Mark Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins' Unexcepted was mightily impressive in the Cashel Beginners' Chase over two miles one furlong in Tipperary.
Mark Walsh tracked odds-on-favourite Captain Guinness before smoothly striding into the lead approaching the sixth fence. A good jump saw him move five lengths clear on his chasing debut.
He soon increased the margin going out on his final circuit as Captain Guinness lost his place and was quickly pulled up after the next fence. Soviet Pimpernel moved into a remote second before the eighth fence but blundered there to make his task more difficult. He then hit the fourth last hard but survived it.
Unexcepted was lobbing away at the head of affairs and held a massive lead turning in.
He won eased down on the bridle by eight lengths at 7/2. JP McManus had a one-two as Entoucas came through for second at 5/1. Rebel Gold was another nine lengths adrift in third at 25/1.
Walsh said: "He jumped brilliant and he was out-jumping Rachael (Blackmore, on favourite Captain Guinness) and I was taking him back over the first four fences.
"After that I said 'this lad is winging' so I just let him go and he loved it. He was very quick over his fences and makes lengths at them so you'd have to be delighted with that.
"He is a half-brother to Great Field so hopefully he'll go the same way and win a few of those good races."
Captain Guinness was examined post-race and was reported to be clinically abnormal.
Unexcepted earned an opening show of 20/1 for the Arkle from Paddy Power who now make Captain Guinness 33/1 from 16/1.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
