Darwins Fox impressive in feature

With the wraps due to come off stable-star Sizing Europe for his seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park next Saturday, Henry de Bromhead and Andrew Lynch got the week off to the best possible start as Darwins Fox took the featured Kilbegnet EBF Novice Chase in great style.

Stable-companion The Folkes Choice set the pace in this two-mile Grade 3 event, and Lynch made his move early in the straight to land in front at the penultimate fence.

The 9/4 joint favourite soon settled the issue and stretched right away on the run-in to beat Cootamundra (8/1) by a yawning 13 lengths. Ballyfinboy (20/1) completed the placings a further length and a half back in third.

The Real Article was a notable absentee due to a knee abrasion, while the other 9/4 joint favourite Shadow Eile dropped away tamely in the straight to finish last of eight. She was found to be lame behind post-race.

De Bromhead said, “Andrew gave him a super ride and he was really impressive. I liked him a lot but he got hurt badly a few years ago and fractured a joint. I never thought he’d come back to his full potential but he looks exciting again now.

“He’s been quite busy during the summer and might go for something in a few weeks’ time, perhaps the Grade 3 (Buck House) two and a quarter mile novice chase at Punchestown (October 17).”

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes