IT has been a frustrating season for Mala Beach and for his connections Chris Jones, Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell.

Off the track for almost a year, the Beneficial gelding fell early on his seasonal debut in the race that Sir Des Champs won at Thurles in November. Second in a graduation chase at Ascot in December, he again found one – My Murphy – too good in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last month, after looking a likely winner turning for home.