Not everyone gets a 'calling' in life but high class novice hurdler Don Cossack appears to have found his own particular niche when impressively making a successful chase debut the W.B. Gavin & Co EBF Beginners Chase at Galway today.

Don Cossack's owner Gigginstown House Stud's retained jockey Davy Russell was in action at Naas and Andrew Lynch filled in for the ride on the son of Sholokov, who jumped well and stretched the field in the straight for a 20 lengths win.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott was at Naas but Lynch later stated “the (low-lying) sun down the back didn't help but he was clever and should improve a lot for that; he was only in second gear there.”

Boylesports subsequently cut Don Cossack to 16/1, from 20s, for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, while Paddy Power gave him a first show of 14/1.

By Thomas Weekes