Bullet takes Gold on chasing debut

Gold Bullet made a successful start to his chasing career, as he took the Porter & Co Beginners Chase, under Ruby Walsh for Tom Taaffe.

The ultra-consistent grey son of Generous was a 7/2 chance this morning with Paddy Power, and he was well-supported on-course, going from 3/1 to 5/2 favourite at the off.

After tracking the leaders for much of the contest, the successful five-year-old gelding made headway to lead after three out.

He asserted approaching the final fence, and he was ridden out from there to record a comfortable five length win. Howwoulduno (16/1) ran a fine race to take second at 20/1 under Shane Butler for Liam Lennon, while Drawn N Drank was a further fifteen lengths back in third. Rye Martini (3/1), Mullaghanoe River (11/4) and Seafood (7/2) all had their supporters, but the trio disappointed, finishing well beaten in fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Ruby Walsh said afterwards: "I wish every horse I rode jumped like him! He has lots of scope. Tom said after he won a handicap hurdle at Gowran that he was a very good horse. I couldn’t ride him that day."

Tom Taaffe added: "Barry O’Hare who I bought him off sponsors the Drinmore and that's where he will go next."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham