El Fabiolo © Photo Healy Racing
The 1/5 favourite El Fabiolo had a solo run in front all the way in the two-mile beginners' chase and was never threatened at any stage.
The Spanish Moon gelding, a classy novice over hurdles who ran Jonbon to a neck in a Grade 1 at Aintree, made a few novicey errors but was untroubled to beat Colonel Mustard by nineteen lengths.
He's the latest of Willie Mullins' top team of novice chasers to be unleashed and was cut to 7/2, from 11/2, for the Sporting Life Arkle Chase.
Winning rider Paul Townend said: “He'll learn from that, I think, he's not there yet but there is a brilliant jump in him.
“When I wanted him to get in a couple of times he kept going a little bit but when you go to the well it's there.
“He didn't have much racing last year but I think he's going to be a smart horse. His run against Jonbon looks good now.
“He looked like a chaser and he probably wasn't over-raced for that reason last year.
“A better race will suit him and trip-wise he could end up going up in trip as well, he's versatile enough I think.
“If you wanted him you could use his jumping and stay at that trip.
“Any time I asked him he was good but anytime I went to let him in he was just a bit unsure of it but in a good race you don't get in too often!”
Quotes from Gary Carson
