Farouk D'alene makes successful switch to fences

Farouk D’alene overcame a near 12 months absence when making a successful switch to fences in the Navan Racecourse Beginners Chase and in the process complete a five-timer for trainer Gordon Elliott.

Kevin Sexton took over in the saddle from Davy Russell, who sprained his wrist in a fall earlier on the card, and the Grade 2 winning hurdler was prominent throughout in this competitive 2m4f event.

The 7/2 chance led over the last where Keskonrisk made a mistake and subsequently lost his action in the closing stages. Farouk D'alene was driven out in the closing stages to hold off the late surge of Blue Sari by three-quarters-of-a-length, with Ashdale Bob a further three-and-a-quarter lengths back in third.

Elliott said, “He's a good horse. He was off the track for a long time, I thought he'd come on from it and he will come on a lot from it.

“He was gutsy and chasing is his game. He jumped well the whole way around from what I could see.

“He wouldn't be a horse for Leopardstown as it would be too quick and we'll try and find a Graded race somewhere for him.

“He's in the race at Limerick and if it was bottomless heavy ground he might go there.”

He also reflected on a disappointing run by Tiger Roll who pulled up with a circuit to run at Aintree saying: “I doubt if it would be his last race, definitely not. The ground went very soft over there so it probably wouldn't have been ideal. We'll see how we are.”

(GC & AM)