"It was a very good performance but he jumped a bit slow," was Willie Mullins' summation after Demi Sang made a winning start for his stable in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase at Naas.

A couple of Auteuil chase wins in September prompted J P McManus to 'put his hand in his pocket' for the Gris de Gris five-year-old, and he began the repayment of his purchase price under Barry Geraghty in this two miler. Avenir D'Une Vie s know how over Irish fences looked like it might prove crucial, but the front runner eventually had to yield to 11/10 favourite Demi Sang.

The 'jolly' pulled it out of the fire from the back of the last for a length and a quarter verdict.

"I thought he'd jump a bit quicker and he might need to jump a bit sharper. I'm sure he'll learn that," elaborated Mullins.

"He lost a lot of ground in the air, especially when he needed to at the fourth and third last. He was just dwelling in the air too much but I think he'll get better.

"I'd imagine he'll go down the Arkle route and we'll look at Leopardstown. That would be the obvious place after winning that.

"To win two races at Auteuil is a very good level and that showed there. He was bought to go over the minimum trip."

Paddy Power go 25/1 first show about Demi Sang for the Racing Post Arkle Chase.

The Stewards fined W.P. Mullins, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Demi Sang (FR), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

(GC & EM)