Sharjah and Paul Townend pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Sharjah completed a Grade 3 double for Willie Mullins at Tipperary, as he made it two from two over fences in the O'Dwyer Steel Dundrum (Like A Butterfly) Novice Chase.
A six-time winner at the highest level over flights, the Doctor Dino 10-year-old impressed on his debut over fences at Galway and was sent off the clear 8/15 favourite to follow-up today.
Second early on and sent to the front before the fourth, the Rich and Susanna Ricci-owned bay wasn't fluent three out but stretched clear before the next, going on to register an easy 12-length success.
A winner at Killarney in August, Captain Conby (10/3) filled the runner-up spot under Jack Kennedy for Eamon Sheehy.
"He loves it and is always looking for the next fence," Townend commented.
"The less you do on him the better he is. He knows what he’s at over his fences and has a real good appetite for it.
“He was brave over hurdles and was a long time at the top level where they are measuring them quite well.
“He’s a fast, economical jumper so that will help him more over a fence than a hurdle at this stage of his life. He’s gone two and a half now and that opens more doors for him.
“For another while he’ll have the benefit of having had a few runs and will have race fitness and experience on a few. Hopefully we can make that count.”
The winner is now 16/1 (from 20s) with Paddy Power for the Turners Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
STEWARDS REPORTS
M.J.M O'Sullivan, rider of Time To Rocco, trained by Colin Motherway, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
