From left to right; Pink Hat, Springbelle, Truimphant and Chancol jump the second last together© Photo Healy Racing
Chancol justified odds-on favouritism as he took the opener at Punchestown this afternoon, the Michael Fitzpatrick Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
The Noel Meade trained French-bred son of Vangelis was sent off a 1-2 chance for this his third start over flights.
Having won a bumper on his second start at Navan in December, the four-year-old JP McManus owned gelding finished fourth to Western Boy on his hurdles debut at Leopardstown on St Stephens Day.
He fell on his next outing at Navan last month, but he made up for that mishap today, travelling best into the straight, hitting the front on the run-in, before going on to score by three parts of a length under Paul Carberry. Springbelle ran a fine race to take second at 20/1 under Sean Flanagan for Harry Kelly, while Polish Partisan (12/1) kept on well to take third, a further three and three parts of a length back under Shane Hassett for Edward O’Grady.
Noel Meade said afterwards: "He was a bit leery when he got to the front. He was also like that when he won his bumper, but he jumped well and really he is a chaser for next year.
"I’ve never heard of the sire before but this horse has a really good French pedigree and Mags O’Toole told me I had to buy him at the sales.
"He is still a bit leggy and he will be a better horse next year."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
