Stylish success from Escaria Ten at Thurles A point-to-point winner for Liam Lennon at the start of his career Escaria Ten got off the mark over racecourse fences at the second attempt today in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Thurles. The 6/5 favourite did it easy too, by no less than twenty lengths from the pace-setting Ministerforsport. Second market choice Mormon finished two lengths back in third but there was just no living with the Gordon Elliott-trained and Jack Kennedy-ridden Escaria Ten. He tracked the leaders and was third at the halfway stage. Making headway to challenge two out and leading entering the straight Escaria Ten soon asserted and was clear approaching the last. From there he kept on well to easily add to his point-to-point and dual hurdling successes. "He put in a great round of jumping and he is a nice horse. Hopefully he can keep progressing from that,” reported Kennedy. "He ran well in Fairyhouse the last day over 2m5f and the step up to three miles really suited him." Escaria Ten is 20/1 from 33/1 with Paddy Power for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. With the same firm he’s 33/1 from 66/1 for the RSA Chase. The Stewards interviewed E. Walsh, rider of Black Samurai (GB), trained by Sean Aherne, concerning his failing to pull up his mount which appeared to be tired before falling at the fourth last fence. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that he thought that his mount was idling but on viewing the video he accepted that his mount was tired. Having viewed the recording and considered the evidence, the Stewards reminded E. Walsh to act more responsibly when riding tired horses in the future. (TW & EM)
