Pinkerton justifies favouritism in beginners' chase

The market for the Ballykisteen Beginners Chase completely changed with the late withdrawal of Now Is The Hour (due to the going) and new favourite Pinkerton (11/10) obliged under Sam Ewing.

He got a lovely run through on the inner to take a fractional lead from Tophill Low The latter crumpled upon landing and Ewing saw an opportunity for Pinkerton to try and assert.

He increased his lead at the last and his closest rival, Jacksons Gold made a mistake as the 'jolly' ran home by five lengths.

Runner-up Jacksons Gold went off at 18/1 and was two and a-half lengths clear of Champagne Mahler (6/1).

Noel Meade said: "I suppose he was entitled to win with the way the race cut up, but he was pulling up a bit in front and got lonely. He (Ewing) said he also wouldn't want it any quicker.

"When he started jumping fences first, he jumped them really well, and was good enough and jumped well today. He was probably entitled to win even better than he won but he won, so I won't complain.

"He will keep going for another while on easy ground."

Pinkerton now has a beginners' chase, a maiden hurdle and a bumper to his name.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes