Darwins proves best in opener

Darwins Fox proved strongest in the finish as he opened his account over fences in the opening beginners chase at Galway this afternoon.

Nearest The Pin attempted to make all in the 2m1f event but couldn't hold the 15/8 favourite in the straight.

Andrew Lynch sent his mount through to track the front-runner at the third last and he was ridden along to challenge rounding the home turn.

He hit the front early in the straight and kept on well in the closing stages to post a seven-length winning margin.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained winner was returning to fences having chased home the impressive Union Dues on the Flat here on Wednesday.

Darwins Fox, formerly a useful hurdler, was gaining a deserved chase victory having been placed four times over fences in the past.

“He was becoming frustrating,” admitted de Bromhead.

“I was thinking beforehand that himself and Nearest The Pin have been trying to win their beginners chase for a while now.

“He ran well here on Wednesday and he was good there – Andrew gave him a super ride. It's great to get a winner here and I'm delighted for his owner John Brennan who loves to have a winner at the Galway festival.

“We always thought he was going to be a real good horse but he probably doesn't want extreme ground.

“He'll go handicapping now. We'll maybe ride him with a bit more restraint and up him in trip.”

It's family day today at Galway and de Bromhead joined in the spirit of things as he was accompanied by daughter Mia and son Jack.

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)