Daryl Jacob steers Intense Raffles home© Photo Healy Racing
Intense Raffles made the perfect start to life in Ireland with victory in the rated novice chase at Fairyhouse.
Tom Gibney was entrusted with the six-year-old gelding by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede after he won twice over hurdles and once on the Flat in his native France.
The grey Martaline gelding was another horse to make all in Fairyhouse and, despite wandering before the last, kept on nicely for Daryl Jacob to prevail by four and a-half lengths. Where It All Began picked up a runner-up prize at 10/1.
“That was the dream start. The race really suited and we thought he was on a fair mark on his early French form. It was nice,” said Gibney.
“It's great to get the horse to start with and I'm just delighted to have one for them.”
When asked about future targets he added: “Honestly I don't know.
“He had to give him a squeeze and a shove, in fairness it's not like he won doing handstands or anything. We are just learning about him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
