Blood Cotil and Paul Townend fall two out leaving the way clear for Castle Wings© Photo Healy Racing
Fortune was on the side of Jimmy and Paddy Mangan as Castle Wings was left to come home alone in the McCarthy Insurance Group Beginners Chase after likely winner Blood Cotil crashed out at the penultimate fence.
Blood Cotil scored three times in juvenile hurdles last term including Graded victories at Leopardstown and Auteuil, and not surprisingly was sent off the 1/4 favourite for his chasing debut.
Castle Wings (7/2) was the only opposition in the market having filled the runner-up spot on his last two outings at Limerick including off a mark of 119 in the valuable Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Chase at the Christmas meeting.
Everything was going to plan entering the straight with the two principals having the race between them, and Blood Cotil jumping well and looking certain to win.
However a slight mistake at the third last was the first note of caution for favourite backers, and any worries proved prophetic at the very next fence as the French-bred blundered badly and fell when travelling well a few lengths in front.
This left Castle Wings clear, and Paddy Mangan only had to negotiate the final fence on the Winged Love gelding to come home 24 lengths ahead of West Council
Jimmy Mangan said, “He ran a great race at Limerick and I did worry that this race was coming a bit quick for him. But if you’re not in you can’t win!
“I’d like to have a crack at the Thyestes if he gets in at the weights. It’s been a lucky race for us in the past.”
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
