Pearl justifies favouritism under Walsh for Brassil

Artic Pearl justified favouritism in the Leopardstown Membership Beginners Chase, scoring under Mark Walsh for Martin Brassil.

The seven-year-old son of Shirocco won a handicap hurdle at Punchestown in October, and filled the runner-up spot on his two subsequent starts.

He was third when sent off favourite on his debut over fences on New Year's Day at Tramore, and he was again sent off favourite today, touching 4/1 on-course, before going off a 3/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division by Mark Walsh, the bay victor took closer order from two out, and led narrowly at the last.

He was then ridden out on the run-in, keeping on well to score by a length and a quarter. El Vasco (12/1) finished second under Ricky Doyle for Conor O'Dwyer, while Skellig Rocks (8s to 13/2) was a head back in third with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle for Arthur Moore. Charlie's Charm (16s this morning, returned 4s) was still in with every chance when crashing out at the last.

Brassil said afterwards: "This race was originally for horses rated 102 or less over hurdles and he's 104. It was a good opportunity for him and he jumped quite well. We'll see what kind of mark he gets, and that is more like his ground."

STEWARDS REPORTS

T.N. Brett, rider of Georges Conn trained by John Patrick Ryan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake at the first down the back and never travelled thereafter.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee