Saint Sam proves different class to chase rivals

Saint Sam made just about all the running under Paul Townend to run out a very easy winner of the Eileen Kelly Memorial Chase at Galway.

The odds-on favourite who was sent straight to the front from flag fall, extended his lead at halfway and had the race in safe keeping well before the fourth last fence. Born By The Sea gave chase in second but could never land a blow on the Willie Mullins trained gelding who was able to coast home under hands and heels up the run-in, as Townend looked round for non existent dangers.

A former graded class juvenile hurdler, the ex-French trained gelding had been highly tried in Grade One company since winning his Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse in January 2022.

The experience he picked up to date has not been lost on the six-year-old who now looks capable of stepping back up in class after this bloodless success.

Willie Mullins said: “That was a huge performance from him over that trip the way he did it. Paul never got a chance to settle him, he just galloped and jumped the two mile and six.

“I thought that was way better than anything he has shown. He’s given himself a very hard race but it’s the way he likes to race.

“I think we’ll be looking at conditions races for him but the Kerry National is worth a lot of money. We’ll think about it and he may be entered for it.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee