Berties gets off the mark over fences

Berties Dream galloped his rivals into the ground with an impressive front-running performance in the Devil's Bit Beginners Chase at Thurles.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding jumped well at the head of affairs and opened up a healthy gap on his rivals in the back straight.

The lead was reduced at the fourth last as fellow 6/4 favourite Marlay Park made inroads.

Andrew Lynch got a good response from his mount before home turn, however, and he soon stretched clear again.

The former Albert Bartlett Hurdle winner stayed on strongly in the closing stages to post a cosy 24-length victory.

The Golden Tornado gelding had just lost out in a thriller at Navan on his return to fences last time and made no mistake this time.

"I'm delighted for the horse and it's great to see him back with a win," said de Bromhead.

"He was unlucky at Navan as he just got chinned near he line but he ran a blinder.

"He jumped a bit right there so we decided to wait and come here for this race. He jumped great in testing conditions today.

"His next race could be the three-mile novice at Navan in February - the Ten Up Novice Chase.

"Looking longer term he could also go for the National Trial in February with the Irish National in mind.

"The lads love Cheltenham so maybe the RSA Chase is a possible. He's not an amateur's ride so maybe not the four-miler."