Sutton Place makes winning start over fences

Sutton Place got his chasing career off to a successful start when justifying odds of 4/6 in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Beginners Chase.

The JP McManus-owned son of Mahler won twice at Grade 2 level over hurdles but signed off last term on a low when pulling up lame at the Punchestown Festival. Kemboy was also making his debut over fences, and the well-backed 9/4 (from 4/1) shot made most of the running until a mistake at the second last.

Sutton Place soon challenged and Mark Walsh’s mount kept on well on the run-in to take this 2m5f event by just over three lengths. An Caisteal Nuadh kept on one paced a further 13 lengths away in third.

Gordon Elliott, who saddled three winners on the day, commented afterwards “Mark said he was a little bit novicey but it was his first run over fences.

“He never does anything very impressive and just does what he has to do. They went a good honest gallop.

“I’ll have to talk to the lads and see where we go next. Hopefully he’s okay after this and we’ll see where we go then.”

Paddy Power left Sutton Place unchanged at 16/1 for the JLT Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.