Gentleman de Mee and Mark Walsh © Photo Healy Racing
Only two horses counted from flagfall in the BetVictor Beginners Chase as 15/8 second-favourite Embrun Mitja tried his best to keep tabs on 1/2 favourite Gentleman de Mee
The latter came clear under Mark Walsh from the second-last as his two-years older rival could find no more and the Saint Des Saints gelding, runner-up to Haut En Couleurs at Leopardstown over Christmas, safely negotiated the final fence before sauntering home by all of 34 lengths.
The winner, who was sent off 4/1 favourite for last year’s Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle which was won by stablemate Galopin Des Champs, is trained by Willie Mullins who remarked: "That was a good performance and he got his jumping right. He galloped to the line which was very pleasing and we'll keep him at that trip for the time being.
"He is very hard on himself and mightn't be ready to go across the water just yet. I think he might be a horse we keep at home and find races which might suit him.
"The Arkle isn't foremost on my mind and I'll have a word with connections but the Flyingbolt Chase at Navan (March 5) is an option. We'll try and play a lower ball and try and win a Graded race at home."
Quotes from Thomas Weekes
