Mylestown Upper makes up for lost time on chase debut

Jordan Gainford warmed up for some big rides at Cheltenham this week including Gerri Colombe in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on Wednesday when successful aboard Mylestown Upper in the Leugh Beginners’ Chase at Thurles.

Trained by Gordon Elliott for Caldwell Construction, the Balko gelding won a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle but was then off the track for nearly two years until reappearing over hurdles at Navan recently.

The 9/2 chance and Gali Flight had this extended 2m4f race between them in the straight and the latter was travelling better approaching the final fence.

However, a mistake at the last by that rival handed the initiative back to Mylestown Upper who kept on well on the run-in to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths. Good World kept on into third a further 13 lengths back.

Gainford said, “The good jump at the last made the difference as Niall (Moore, on Gali Flight) missed it and the further I was going on the straight, the more I was becoming confident.

"He came forward from the run the last day and today's ground isn't actually nice ground and is tacky. He should be able to run through the summer, that trip suited him but down the line he will get further.

"It is great for connections who have had to be patient with him."

Quotes by Tom Weekes