Canaly over turns his better fancied rivals

Canaly (farside) jumps the last ahead of Terminal
(Healy Racing Photos)

Ridden by Bryan Cooper, the 7yo son of Bob Back was having his fifth run over fences today and was placed on three of his four previous efforts over them.

The three time hurdle winner was sent off at 10/1 and he raced close up throughout and was third at the third last fence.

He disputed the lead at the second last before he gained a narrow lead ar the last and stayed on well under pressure on the run-in to score by half a length at the line.

The Willie Mullins trained Terminal ran a fine race on his chasing debut to finish second at 9/2 under Paul Townend while Alderwood (10/3) could only manage third, a further length and three parts back under Mark Walsh for Tom Mullins.

The Henry De Bromhead trained Darwins Fox was sent off the 9/4 favourite under Andrew Lynch but he ran below par and finished a well beaten sixth.

Dessie Hughes said afterwards: "He is back to what he was a couple of years ago. He looked good as a novice but he wasn’t right at all last year.

"He took to fences well which is a big plus and his jumping was exceptional today. He got a good ride.

"His handicap mark is probably spoilt now but there are plenty of novice races for him. He will get three miles on better ground in the spring."

The winner is a full-brother to Hi Big Man who runs in the next while he is a half-brother to five time winner Eightybarackstreet.

(Addtional reporting by Gary Carson)