18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Alan Magee

Alan Magee

American Tom scores on chase debut

Sun 11th Dec 2016, 16:43

American Tom leads Gangster over the lastAmerican Tom leads Gangster over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

American Tom overcame a tendency to jump left to make all in the Alan Lillingston Memorial Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

The well-backed evens favourite has obviously been difficult to train with a gap of over a year since his successful Irish debut in a Gowran Park novice hurdle.

The French import put in some fine leaps between going alarming left at a number of fences but kept on well under pressure on the run-in under Ruby Walsh, who was partnering a treble for Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci on the card.

The five-year-old had a length and a half to spare over Gangster at the line, with Bentelimar another 11 lengths back in third.

American Tom is 10/1 with Boylesports, Paddy Power (from 14/1) and Betfair (from 16/1) for the JLT Novices’ Chase.

Mullins said, “He hung a bit to his left but he’s a very inexperienced racehorse, and I hope it’s something that we can iron out.

“Hopefully it’s not something physical and only greenness. He might prefer to go left-handed, and we’ll find another novice for him.”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.