Willie Mullins has the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury next month or the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse at the beginning of December as possible engagements for Be My Royal after the eight-year-old carried the Florida Pearl colours of Violet O'Leary to victory in the EBF Chase over 2m4f at Thurles yesterday.
Partnered by David Casey, the 7/2 shot was prominent throughout and jumped well from flag fall before he shrugged off the challenge of 2/1 market leader Thari and Paul Carberry after jumping the penultimate fence en route to a three length victory.
'He's learning and maybe the penny is dropping,' quipped Willie Mullins, referring to the fact that the gelding has failed to complete the course on more than one occasion in the past. 'There are a few nice handicaps coming up and he stays all day but it's probably between Newbury and Fairyhouse for his next race at this stage.'
Earlier, dual bumper scorer Glenhaven Nugget opened his account over the smaller obstacles when he justified favouritism in the hands of Norman Williamson in the INH Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle. 'We're happy with that and he could make into a nice horse,' said Edward O'Grady, before he revealed, 'he just mightn't be a winter horse as I think he may need faster ground but we'll see.'
Despite persistent rain before racing, the going was officially described as good by Clerk Of The Course Peter McGouran but it came as no surprise when this was changed to yielding to soft after the opener where victory went to Admiral Nelson. Eric McNamara's charge drew steadily clear in the torrential conditions under Adrian Lane to easily defeat Regello.
Killinick, County Wexford-based Willie Codd, who acquired a public licence from his father and namesake in June, saddled his first winner when he partnered top-weight Tenshookmen to score at the expense of warm favourite Victor Boy in the handicap chase.
'I have fifteen horses riding out at the moment and hopefully this is the first of many,' said Codd Jnr who said of the winner, ' I fancied him at Listowel last time but he just couldn't handle the fast ground. He loved that ground today and he jumped super.'
Pescetto Lady was produced with a perfectly timed challenge by Tadgh O'Shea to narrowly pip The Dark Flasher in the 1st division of the 12f maiden while Eckbeag provided trainer Jim Kavanagh with a welcome change of luck and Pat Shanahan with his 36th win of the season in the 2nd leg.
O'Shea completed a double to go 7 clear in the Apprentice Title race when he teamed up with Gallileo Strike for Kerry handler Tom Cooper in the 2m2f handicap.
