Valyssa scores on chase debut

Valyssa Monterg initiated a double at Kilbeggan for champion trainer Willie Mullins when making a successful switch to fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase.

Rich and Sussanah Ricci’s French-bred had her task eased somewhat beforehand with a number of absentee’s including Missyspet due to the drying ground (officially good, good to firm in places).

Mikey Fogarty had the 4/6 favourite up with the pace throughout, and she had just headed the front-running Lenora when that rival pecked badly at the last.

The seven-year-old daughter of Network came home a cosy two and a quarter lengths winner from Knockraha Pylon with Charlotte’s Chum in third.

Fogarty said, “She won a handicap hurdle on good ground at Galway, and the ground suited her. Willie said not to let it turn into a sprint and to have her handy. She jumped safe and did it well.”

Mullins later sent out Kolumbus to justify 2/1 favouritism under his son Patrick in the bumper.