Disko makes all for winning return

The Noel Meade-trained Disko made all to make a winning return to action in the MyCarNeedsA.com Chase at Down Royal.

The Gigginstown gelding, a dual Grade 1 winner last season, was sent to post a 5/4 shot to make a winning return to action in the €50,000 contest run over just shy of two-and-a-half miles.

Sean Flanagan decided to “keep things simple” on the grey and he proved too strong for the field in the Grade 2 contest. Ballyoisin gave chase over the last two fences but, despite getting a bit tired close home, Disko never looked in doubt and had half a length to spare at the line.

A fine performance from Disko who takes the Grade 2 contest for @tuvastables at @Downroyal: pic.twitter.com/OexG2igcdR

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 4, 2017

“He's a gorgeous horse to have and we're delighted that he won and he won well. It was a tough task because he was giving away weight to everything.

“He did get a little bit tired but he's entitled to. The second horse was well in at the weights on his rating and he's a fair horse as well. We're thrilled with him.

“I don't know if maybe the Durkan might be considered with him. It possibly would and he'll certainly be entered in it anyway.

“I honestly think three miles is his best trip. I've always thought stamina is more his forte. He goes a good gallop and keep going.”

When asked to compare Disko and Road To Respect who ran a terrific race to finish second in the preceding Grade 1 feature, Meade said:-

“To have the two of them together is unreal and we have A Genie In Abottle as well. He's been coming along very nicely. He doesn't do anything very flashy but he keeps doing it.

“I purposely don't work them together because I don't think it's fair. When you get them to a certain pitch you try and work them on the bridle anyway.

“Disko takes a bit more work than the other lad. It was a toss up which one we'd run in the Grade 1. We thought the other fella was after doing it the last day so we go ahead and run him because this fella might take a run. So we went that way.

“In fairness Disko put him in his place big time at Punchestown last year so it just shows you that there is a bit of a gap.

“He had some fairly good horses a long way behind him today. As in the last race there were a couple of very good horses behind the other two boys.”

Sean Flanagan added:- "He has been doing plenty, he was quite fit. In saying that, we were a run short and it told going to the back of the second last to the last.

"He has jumped superbly all the way bar the last and I put that down to him just getting a little bit tired.

"He jumps from fence to fence, if you just keep the bit in the mouth he'll take you wherever you need to go. Theresa rides him out every day and she loves him and does a super job with him. He's a pleasure and a joy to be able to ride.

"It was a flip of a coin whether he ran in the three miler or not and the reason he didn't is because the other horse (Road To Respect) had had the run. He was probably better suited to the race because he had had the run."