Prince De Beauchene jumps a fence on his way to victory under Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Prince De Beauchene has been installed the new 10/1 (just 8/1 with Stan James) favourite for the Aintree Grand National with both Ladbrokes and Boylesports following his easy victory in the feature race at Fairyhouse this afternoon, the Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase.
Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend the winner was sent to post the well supported 11/10 favourite and never gave his supporters a moments worry as he came home an easy six length winner.
Having tracked the leaders early on, the son of French Glory took up the lead before the straight and went clear before the second last.
He stayed on well from there to record an easy win from Black Apalachi back in second at 18/1 under Andrew Lynch, while Roi Du Mee was a further neck back in third at 12/1.
Last year's top novice chasers Bostons Angel and Magnanimity both disappointed yet again, with the former beaten a long way from home before being pulled up before the fourth last while the latter ran a better race finishing fourth.
The Andrea and Graham Wylie-owned winner was having just his second start for Mullins since joining his team last year from the Howard Johnson yard.
Having won the John Smith's Handicap Chase (race before the Grand National) at Aintree last year, he ran well on his Irish debut in the Troytown Chase in November finishing fifth behind Groody Hill.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He showed a nice bit of improvement from Navan and I’d imagine he will go on to Aintree now for the National.
"He’ll like the better ground judging by the size of his feet. He did everything nicely today and I hope there will be more improvement to come from him."
