No bother for Paddy after difficult 'prep'

Even two miles proved hard work in the heavy ground at Fairyhouse, but off a 232 day break Castlegrace Paddy proved fit enough to get the job done in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

No doubt many have viewed the Flemensfirth gelding as potentially a smart chaser through his career thus far.

Such thinking could be spot on as on attempt one over 'the big ones' Castlegrace Paddy impressed under Andrew Lynch to account for Bravissimo by seven and a half lengths.

Favourite Brelade ended up a length and three parts further back in third.

Clipper Logistics Group Limited own Castlegrace Paddy, and Pat Fahy trains the 8/1 victor.

"We've not had much of a preparation with little niggly things, and then we had the snow and the rain. It was not the preparation that you would like," revealed Fahy.

"Christmas will probably come too soon for him after this, although it will depend on how he comes out of it. We know we can take our time with him now and place him nicely. You would think he'll have to improve from that run.

"He was off a long time and we had him prepped for different runs and he didn't make it. He can go up in trip and a bigger track will suit him.

"He's won well there over two miles but going back on his previous runs you would wonder if he wants to go further than two and a half miles."

(AM & EM)