WHILE just five lined up for the Matchbook Betting Exchange Craddockstown Novice Chase, the Grade 2 proved a fascinating race to watch, with the fortunes of market leaders Westport Cover (9/4) and Fleur In The Park (10/11f) changing a number of times in the straight.

Willie Mullins’s sole representative, Westport Cove, a Grade 3 winner last time, took well to the winter ground, leading the field under Paul Townend. The Cathal Hughes-owned seven-year-old led them turning for home, with the Andy Slattery-trained favourite hot on his heels, and the latter gained the upper hand at the second last following a mistake by the leader.

Cian Quirke’s mount mimicked Townend’s ride with an ungainly jump at the final fence, and Westport Cove took full advantage, rallying gamely to lead by a neck on the line. The gutsy pair finished nine lengths clear of Qualimita in third.

“We’ve had our ups and downs today; Sortudo won at Cork but Jade De Grugy got beaten,” Mullins reflected after the race. “I didn’t think he could win this, but he fought back bravely. I said ‘well done’ to Paul and he said ‘I hadn’t much to do, it was just the horse.’”

On future plans, the trainer continued: “I’d rather come back here if I could find a race in the New Year. I haven’t any plan made; I wasn’t sure he would handle this ground, so the fact that he’s won on it is a big bonus and we can stay training him during the winter. I had planned to give him a break, but this changes things a little bit.”

Owned by Cathal Hughes, Westport Cove gained wins in a bumper and maiden hurdle early in his career but took some time to hit his stride over fences, winning on his sixth chase start in May. The French-bred six-year-old has, however, earned prize money on all nine chase starts, including when fourth in the valuable Sussex Champion Chase at Plumpton in April.