Mitebeall wins comfortably under Townend

Mitebeall Forluck ran out a comfortable winner of the Daily Mirror Handicap Chase, scoring under Paul Townend for Arthur Moore.

Having run some good races in defeat last year, the eight-year-old son of Westerner was sent off a 5/1 chance this afternoon.

Settled towards rear he was fifth with a circuit to race as Altiepix attempted to make all.

He travelled well in third on the approach to three out and jumped to the front at the next, keeping on well from there to score by eight and a half lengths. Elegant Statesman finished second at 4/1 under Jody McGarvey for Henry De Bromhead, while the front-running Altiepix (2/1fav) was a further length back in third under Bryan Cooper for Gordon Elliott.

Arthur Moore said afterwards: "He hasn't missed a day, we were waiting for the ground. We think that's his trip. He was knocking on the door in the autumn but not finishing his races. He's a big horse and that'll give him confidence. Hopefully he'll have a good summer."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham