Perceval Legallois winning under Mark Walsh © Photo Healy Racing
Perceval Legallois made a very pleasing debut over fences in the beginners' chase at Galway.
Gavin Cromwell 's charge hadn't been on a racecourse since winning a Grade B handicap hurdle at Leopardstown during the Dublin Racing Festival in February, but clearly wasn't lacking in fitness or schooling.
He was virtually friendless in the ring, though, as he drifted right out to 10/3 from 7/4.
He picked up the lead after the fifth fence in this extended two-and-a-quarter-mile contest and jumped well in the main from there. The six-year-old gelding was on good terms with himself with ears pricked at the last and soon had his pursuers in trouble on the climb for home.
He was still tanking along on the bridle for Mark Walsh as Japers Jack and Neveradullmoment struggled to land a blow. The leader coasted home in the final furlong and merely had to be nudged along to account for Neveradullmoment (5/1) by two and a-half lengths. This gave owner JP McManus a one-two in the race.
Japers Jack completed the placings a length away in third at 11/1.
McManus' racing manager Frank Berry said: "Mark said he was very good, he missed one but was happy in front. You could only be happy with the way he went around there.Â
"Even though he has won over three (miles) in the past, I'm not sure he wants that distance and I'd say he is sharp enough to come.Â
"We got today out of the way which was the big thing and you'd be pleased with the way he went around there.
"Neveradullmoment ran a race too - he was fit and well from the summer."
Perceval Legallois has two hurdle victories and a bumper to go with this chasing success.
Additional reporting by Tom Weekes
