Dec 15,2024
Majborough turned in a tremendous performance to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.
Willie Mullins elected to go straight over fences with his Triumph Hurdle hero and he looked a natural as he bounded along at the head of affairs.
Stablemates Tullyhill and Asian Master kept tabs on him, and it was Tullyhill – also a smart performer in his bumper days – who proved the biggest threat.
That challenge was only a brief one, however, as the four-year-old Majborough and Mark Walsh fairly rocketed clear after the last to win by six and a half lengths as the easy-to-back even-money favourite.
Walsh said: "He was very good. There were a few little novicey mistakes, but I wouldn't mind that on his first run.
"He had to do it the hard way in front, but when Paul (Townend, on Tullyhill) came to him we were fairly motoring over the last two and he was good and slick at them.
"With the size of him, fences were always going to be the making of him and it was a great introduction for him.
"He lobbed away in front, he wasn’t keen with me. He has gears and he’ll stay, so he’s one to look forward to.
"Willie’s other two horses in the race were no slouches, so it was a good test for him."
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, added: "He jumped well and Mark was happy with him.
"We’ll see how he comes out of it and the Grade Two in Naas (on January 5) could be an option. We could only be pleased with the way he won and jumped."
Mullins struck again when the Townend-ridden Judicieuse Allen (7-1) produced an irresistible late charge to get up in the McInerney Properties Rated Novice Chase.
Meanwhile, Kim Bailey has revealed Chianti Classico suffered a serious injury in his run at Cheltenham on Friday.
Seen as a genuine Grand National prospect – or even a potential Gold Cup horse – the seven-year-old, who was a winner at the Festival in March, finished a brave third to King Turgeon under top-weight.
He was dismounted afterwards by Ciaran Gethings, and speaking on his website blog at Kimbaileyracing.com on Saturday, the Andoversford trainer said: "The vets were there in seconds and he was taken straight back to the stables.
"It was then obvious that the poor horse suffered an injury in his hind leg. The tendon that goes over his hock had slipped off and down his leg. Pain relief administered, and the one aim was to make him as comfortable as possible to travel home. He is now.
"Poor horse is comfortable and being wonderfully looked after by Erika and the team here. Poor Erika is distraught, as we all are, and how awful for his owners Francis Brooke and Richard Pilkington. We will assess before making any decisions, but what has happened is not a good one."
