Yorkhill makes winning chase debut

Last season's top novice hurdler Yorkhill made a winning chase debut at Fairyhouse today when easily justifying 1/8 favouritism in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

The son of Presenting won Grade 1 novice hurdles at Sandown and the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season and while ultimately beaten at Punchestown on his last hurdles start, today returned to winning ways with an easy win under regular jockey Ruby Walsh.

Yorkhill's tendency to jump left over hurdles contributed to his shock Punchestown defeat in April and was again evident today. The gelding jumped to the front at the third fence and while he jumped left throughout, never came under any pressure for a 14 lengths win over Burgas .

Easy does it! Yorkhill runs out a cosy winner on his chasing debut at @Fairyhouse: https://t.co/wGj9kCQ6hO

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 17, 2016

Winning trainer Willie Mullins later commented “he has huge scope for jumping and certainly has not lost any of his ability. He's very at home over fences.

"He went a bit left but that would not worry me too much once they have an engine. I hope fences will help him to settle - he took a fairly keen hold today but was not rushing his fences.

"He would have no trouble stepping up in trip but he is very good at that trip (two miles) and can jump at that trip. Christmas will probably come a bit too soon for his next run. He could stay at two miles or go up in trip just depending where his next run fits in.”

Paddy Power bookmakers later cut Yorkhill to 3/1, from 4s, for the JLT Novice Chase at the Cheltenham festival.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee