Duc D'allier and J J Slevin (nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
On debut for the Joseph O’Brien yard off a 949 day break Duc D’allier took the Fairyhouse Supporting Local Business Beginners Chase at odds of 9/2.
Third in the market behind Brawler and Reine Fee the former Colin Bowe and Henry de Bromhead inmate with J J Slevin up here, proved too strong for that pair from the bypassed final fence.
He eventually beat Brawler and Reine Fee by eight and a half lengths and seven lengths.
The successful Lauro gelding (debut over racecourse fences today) won on a lively surface at Clonmel on his last appearance in June 2018 and is clearly ground versatile scoring on heavy terrain here.
“It was a good performance. He does everything right at home,” said stable representative Brendan Powell.
“He was in last year and was nearly ready to run when the ground went quick. He's a big horse and obviously had a few problems as it's June 2018 since he last ran.
“He's always jumped well and galloped well. He's very lightly raced so hopefully there is improvement in him. He's done that well and can only improve in every way.
“JJ said the ground is bottomless and said he'd be better on a bit better ground.
“It's nice to get his head in front. It probably wasn't the greatest race in the world but he can't do it any better than that.”
D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Rocky Shores trained by David Harry Kelly, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung badly right and stopped quickly.
(GC & EM)