He's a natural - Morning Assembly and Ruby Walsh at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Of course he had the assistance of Ruby Walsh in the plate but Morning Assembly certainly looked a natural at the game when landing the Ballymore Christmas Fair & Family Fun November Festival Beginners Chase at Punchestown on his fencing bow.
Always to the fore, the favourite travelled better than fellow 'on the gallop' racer, Si C'Etait Vrai into the straight.
The successful Shantou gelding bravely had a right 'cut' at the last and that was contest over as he stayed on well up the run-in to beat Si C'Etait Vrai by three and three parts of a length with Clonbanan Lad a length and a quarter back in third. Operating was bang there with prospects when falling at the fifth last.
Winning trainer Pat Fahy revealed: "He only had one racecourse school and that was when he hacked around at Tipperary, so there should be plenty of improvement there.
"He's always been a natural leaper and he's a horse that'll never let you down.
"Ruby said to me to make sure that we give him plenty of experience and he'll definitely run somewhere before Christmas.
"I'll sit down with the owner (Steve Parkin) and we'll make a plan.
"Davy (Condon) schooled him at Tipperary so I'm sorry that he missed this but he'll be back (broke his leg at Cork recently). Myself and Ruby do go back a long way anyway.
"I have to thank Joe Foley (Ballyhane Stud) for introducing me to Steve (Parkin) and he's a great man to train for."
Bookmaker reaction went as follows - Ladbrokes 25/1 Morning Assembly for the RSA Chase.
Paddy Powers also go 25/1 Morning Assembly for the RSA Chase.
The same firm go 20/1 Morning Assembly for the Jewson.
P. Townend, rider of Corbally Ghost trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount received interference from a faller at the fifth last fence and he lost an iron when side stepping the animal. Furthermore his mount jumped indifferently and passed tired horses in the closing stages to finish fourth.
M.P. Walsh, rider of Call Rog trained by M.F.Morris, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount burst a blood vessel. This was confirmed by the Turf Club Veterinary Officer.
Andrew J.McNamara, rider of Darwins Theory trained by John Queally, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount lost his action in running and was pulled up.
(AM & EM)
