FARCLAS was very easy to back on his chasing debut at Down Royal but jumped well and put away the well-backed favourite Cliff House in the Daily Mirror Beginners Chase.

From odds-on in the morning, the former Triumph Hurdle winner drifted out to 2/1 on the off.

The Gigginstown House Stud representative tracked Cliff House before grabbing the initiative after the second last.

Andrew Ring’s mount powered away on the run-in to score by four and a quarter lengths

Gordon Elliott said: “He had lost his way on soft ground. He has had a couple of wind operations. On the better ground he jumped well and we’ll have plenty of fun with him over the summer.”

Ring picked up a one-day suspension for using his whip without giving his mount time to respond.

DOUBLE

Farclas brought up a double for Elliott who took the Belfast Live Hurdle with Count Simon.

He saw out every yard of this new trip of three miles in moving clear two out. There were no chinks in his armour as he stayed on well to post victory by a length and a half at 5/2.

Elliott said: “It’s good that we can see that he can step right up in trip. Whatever race I can find between two and three miles now because he’s that type of horse. It’s hard to make a big plan for him.

“It’s good for Paddy Vaughan, it’s his first winner over jumps. Great for the Sloans, obviously they are big supporters of the yard and this is their local racecourse.”

Jockey Kevin Brouder also enjoyed a pair of victories on the card.

Glendaars Warrior brought up plenty of bets in the London Essence Company Handicap Hurdle.

The seven-year-old gelding was always close to the pace before improving to lead after four out. He travelled powerfully and went clear under Brouder approaching the last.

After the 4/1 shot came in by a comfortable eight lengths, trainer Dermot McLoughlin said: “On his Punchestown run (you’d think there was a race in him). I don’t know why but he was disappointing the last twice.

“I just said to the chap to make more use of him - he just kept going the best and he jumped well and he kept going to the line. There was a bit more room out in front and maybe he enjoyed himself a bit better. It worked out well.

“Frank Reynolds (owner) is not here today. He has four horses with us. He’s from Celbridge.”

Noel McParlan, on James Boru, was hit with a three-day ban for riding improperly regarding an incident entering the final turn where it appeared Cadougarde ran short of room and collided with the rail.

FRONT RUNNER

Brouder then made every yard on John Ryan’s Presenting Mahler in the Daily Mirror Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old mare had her rivals in trouble after the third last and she galloped them into submission by 12 lengths at 4/1 (from 7/1).

The trainer’s daughter, Gillian Ryan, said: “When she gets her chance in front she is super. Kevin did a great job and got into a lovely rhythm jumping and she was just super. She’s a lovely mare.

“She is owned by my dad’s first cousin Paddy McKeon so it’s a real family affair. This is one of her best wins and we are delighted. She’ll probably stay going for the summer.”

Calicojack and Eoin Walsh looked the pair to beat in the Pepsi Max Opportunity Maiden Hurdle but they were given a serious scare by 66/1 outsider Indian Admiral who went down by a head after a battle on the run-in.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said of the 5/4 favourite owned by James Hunt: “That horse has been unlucky, he deserved to win a race. We always thought he wasn’t a bad horse but it has taken him a long time to get his head in front. Hopefully he will stay in front now.

“That’s Eoin’s first winner. He’s a nice lad from Cork and he rides very well. Hopefully he can carry on and ride a few more. He’s been with me all winter. He’s a lad that deserves to get an opportunity but it is very difficult to get these lads going.”

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE

Shark Hanlon was delighted with the performance of Rewritetherules who took the Club Mixers Hunters Chase at 20/1.

The five-year-old gelding was held up by Tom Hamilton and made headway at the third last. He was ridden into the lead after the next and kept on to pass the post two lengths to the good.

Hanlon said: “He’s a 17hh horse. I ran him in a bumper in Gowran and I thought he couldn’t get beaten - I ran him the wrong way, I made the running and they all took him on.

“He came out of Donnchadh Doyle’s, a great yard to buy a horse out of. I rang Donnchadh before the race and I said to him ‘I’m gonna drop this fellow last’ and he said that was the thing to do with him.

“That’s the first day with the hood, he’s just a very free-going horse but I love him the whole time at home. He’s doing everything right. The owner Dan O’Rourke is from Naas. That’s the second horse they have with me now.”

Elliott’s Felino De Bersy and Meade’s Trump Legend were notable non runners in the Racing TV (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race with the former’s stablemate Global Society sent off the 4/5 favourite.

It was Gavin Cromwell’s Tritonix, the most experienced horse in the field, who prevailed for the Here For A Good Time Syndicate.

Conor McNamara got her up in the final strides to beat the favourite by a neck at 14/1.

He said: “When she first came from the sales at Newmarket we always liked her, her work but was always very good. For some reason she just couldn’t seem to do it on the track.

“It was definitely the ground (today), she is by Nathaniel - she’s a big good-looking filly with a big stride on her. She loved the ground and hit the line well.

“I knew enough about her myself, I always liked her. I’m based with Gavin four days a week, Tuesday to Friday. That’s six track winners now and the first of the season so hopefully keep it going.”

HORSE TO FOLLOW:

INDIAN ADMIRAL

(J.J. Lambe): Ran a stormer at 66/1 to serve it up to the favourite before going down by a head. Can build on this.

ACTING STEWARDS:

R.S. Martin, F.G. Fitzsimmons, J. Hunt, B. Polly, M.F. O’Donoghue