Mala Beach and Davy Russell land over the last fence © Photo Healy Racing
Mala Beach bounced back to winning ways when running out an easy winner of the Daily Mirror Chase at Down Royal this afternoon.
Gordon Elliott 's charge had pulled up in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown last month but appreciated the drop in class and stiffer test of stamina in the three-mile two-furlong contest.
Davy Russell held the 4/9 shot up in the early stages of the race before producing him to tackle Bonny Kate three from home.
The Chris Jones owned gelding powered clear of his full-sister going to the penultimate fence and Russell could afford to ease down in the closing stages as he recorded a nine-and-a-half length success.
"It looked an ideal race to go for. Conditions suited him so it was the right race to go for,” said Elliott.
"I'd say he remembered the quick(er) ground in Leopardstown early on but the further he got the better he jumped.
"That could be it for the year unless Punchestown came up very soft. He'll not go to Fairyhouse."
It was a double for Elliott and Russell following the earlier victory of Icario
Paddy Power had quoted the winner as a 12/1 chance (from 16/1) for the Irish National but Elliott seemed to rule him out of that target.
He is also engaged in the Grand National at Aintree and is now 20/1 from 33/1 with the same firm for the big race in Liverpool.
(Quotes by Michael Graham)
