CASTLEGRACE Paddy took full advantage of the early exit of Great Field to run out a most impressive winner of the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork.

Great Field was sent off the 4/7 favourite for the two-mile, half-furlong contest and was bowling along in front when coming down at the second fence, leaving former Champion Chase hero Special Tiara in front.

Henry de Bromhead’s runner opened up a sizeable advantage, but came back to the field and Castlegrace Paddy and Paul Townend landed in front four from home and really asserted going to to two out.

By the time he got to the last he only had to jump it, and that he did before cruising to a 16-length success from Doctor Phoenix, with Special Tiara hanging on for third.

A rising star in the Irish chasing ranks - Pat Fahy’s Castlegrace Paddy wins the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hill Way Chase at @corkracecourse, in which Great Field crashed out early but galloped away fine. Treble for @PTownend! pic.twitter.com/PPOd4x4RDz

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 9, 2018

Delighted trainer Pat Fahy said of his 13/2 winner, who has been beaten just once in four starts over fences: “It was a pity Andrew Lynch couldn’t ride him as he’d all the schooling down with him, but he got injured. I was delighted to get Paul to fill in.

“He wasn’t jumping fluently in Punchestown and ran a bit flat, but he’s summered fierce well and was in great shape coming here.

"He’s just a different horse this year. He’d a few problems last year, but is all there now and has had no injuries.

“He was working out of this world and if we didn’t win here we were going to struggle this year.

“He’ll probably go to Leopardstown now at Christmas and if he performs well hopefully he can go on to Cheltenham in March.

“After that he suffers from allergies and that may have been his problem in Punchestown. When the growth starts, the pollen starts so we’ll aim to have him at his peak in March.

“Paul said he would be better going left-handed. He handled that ground well, but he seems to be versatile enough.

“Today Great Field came down and we were there to pick up the spoils. If he stayed up it would have been some race, but you have to get your bit of luck as well.”

Great Field’s trainer Willie Mullins was at Punchestown, where he said: “Great Field is fine and Jody (McGarvey) is fine.

“The horse got up and galloped around and jumped afterwards. David Casey (assistant trainer) was very happy with him anyway.”

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