Scalor scores for Doyle & O'Keeffe Liz Doyle's good run of form continued when 25/1 chance Scalor landed the restricted beginners' chase under Sean O'Keeffe. The French-bred, a winner over hurdles at Kilbeggan a couple of years ago, was well beaten on his first run over fences at Downpatrick but here was always prominent before battling on well to beat fellow outsider Willywampus and 6/4 favourite Winding River by a neck and the same. There was a plunge before the off on Paladian Jewel, backed from 40s into 5/2, but he could manage only fourth place. Doyle said: "He is only 15.3hh but I'm kicking myself for not going over fences sooner. I had nowhere to go with him as he was frustrating on the flat, when he wouldn't settle, and I said we'd put a fence in front of him and teach him to settle. "He has really taken to it, he is very accurate and scopey for a small horse. The fences get him to drop the bit, which he has never done on the flat and he doesn't do much over hurdles. He finishes out better." She added: "These races are great for the likes of him as I don't have to waste my time going around top class beginners chases. They really give us a chance and are great way for horses like him to get a good experience over fences, rather than running against top class horses. He was rated 102 over hurdles, so was rated to go close. "He is a summer horse and I'll see if there's anything at Thurles. If the calendar isn't great, it might be holidays but it would be a great note to finish on." Quotes from Tom Weekes
