Ile Atlantique and Paul Townend © Photo Healy Racing
Ile Atlantique got his chasing career off to an impressive start when making most to land the QuinnBet Beginners Chase at Navan and complete a short-priced double on the day for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
The Coastal Path gelding, placed twice in Grade 1 company over hurdles last season including when third to stablemate Ballyburn at the Cheltenham Festival, took command approaching the final fence.
The 5/4 favourite galloped on strongly on the run-in to beat Waterford Whispers by nine lengths with Good Land making a pleasing reappearance after a lengthy absence a further length and a half back in third.
Townend said, “He does (have a cut at his fences) and I just let him learn today on it as well - he had to figure it out a bit himself.
"We could have gone out and winged everything, but he would learn more if he could do it himself.
"He rides a stronger horse this year. There were question marks of him seeing out his races before, but I think he has just needed all the time. A fence will help him with that as well and maturity.
"He's fast from one side to the other. Hopefully, he is going to have a good novice chase season.
"I like him a lot - I loved him last year and he didn't fulfil what I thought he was going to do. I just think sitting on him, he's so big this year, and he has taken this much time."
When asked about the returning Energumene in the Grade 2 Hilly Way Chase at Cork tomorrow, he added, “Brilliant (to see him back). He's been a very good horse to me and I'm looking forward to getting on him.”
Paddy Power and Betfair cut Ile Atlantique into 16/1 (from 33/1) for the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival and also make him 5/2 (from 7/1) for the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at the Limerick Christmas Festival.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham
