Saint Sam and Paul Townend © Photo Healy Racing
The 11/10 favourite Saint Sam was impressive on his chasing debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase.
The five-year-old made all and jumped well for Paul Townend. He was far slicker over the obstacles than market rival Thedevilscoachman and a good jump at the last saw him readily pull clear to beat that rival by nine lengths. Winning trainer Willie Mullins’ other runner El Barra finished a further length and a quarter back in third.
Twice a winner over hurdles in France at three, Saint Sam was Grade-One placed in that sphere at Leopardstown last term before being runner-up to Jeff Kidder in the four-year-old handicap at Cheltenham.
Paddy Power gave him an opening quote of 33/1 for the Turners Novices’ Chase (2m4f) in March
“He's a good old spin," said Townend.
"He ran into fair opposition last year over hurdles and gave a lot of weight away in the Fred Winter.
“He has jumped well at home and we let him at it there. They didn't leave me alone or anything but he's won nicely in the end.
“When Sean (O'Keeffe, on El Barra) arrived alongside me I gave him a squeeze and he kept picking up. He had a good leap at the last and it was only then that he was getting going.
“He might go a bit higher over fences the way he jumps. He's going to have stiffer tasks ahead of him but I think, on what he showed there, he can go to the next grade.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
