Storm Heart blows them away to score on chasing debut Paul Townend landed a winner on his only ride of the afternoon as Storm Heart made a winning start over fences in the Irish National Hunt CLG Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse. Four horses held a chance on the run to the final fence and it the Willie Mullins-trained 9/4 chance who picked up best of all, heading Gordon Elliott’s 7/4 favourite Ballyfad, also owned by Gigginstown House Stud, on the flat to score in some style by three and a half lengths. The 25/1 chance Largy Hill, a stable companion of the winner, was half a length back in third place while the 22/1 shot Kainsbourg, from the same stable as the runner-up, was three-parts of a length away in fourth place. “That was nice. He had a good hurdles rating and I think he was the highest of them,” said Townend. “He was good and professional early on with what was happening around him. Brian’s horse was acting the maggot and not giving him an easy time. “He had a little blow and filled himself up and got a second wind. He really kicked in jumping the last. “He took to fences really well and he’ll have a future over them hopefully.” On his turn of foot after the last, Townend added, “He’s always promised that and I think he likes passing horses.” Additional reporting from Gary Carson
