Nara hacks up for de Bromhead and Walsh Nara, the even-money favourite, proved different class to her four rivals in the opening mares' beginners' chase at Gowran Park. She took over from Air Drop on the approach to the fifth fence in this two-mile contest and asserted after the fourth-last fence. She was on good terms with herself, albeit with a reduced advantage over Dame Rapide, between three out and the penultimate obstacle. The Jeu St Eloi mare readily went on before the last with Dame Rapide failing to go with her. The favourite popped it well for Mark Walsh, in the J.P. McManus silks, and glided home by seven and a-half lengths from the 6/1 runner-up. This was Nara's breakthrough success on her sixth start (second over fences). Henry de Bromhead said: “We're delighted with that, she was really good. She jumped well and did everything nicely. “She was a bit careful over the first couple but once she got her confidence she was brilliant, and Mark was brilliant on her. “She's a fine, big mare. She had a couple of nice runs over hurdles last year. She probably has a preference for a bit nicer ground. “We'll maybe look at the mares' novice chase in Cork.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
