'He's similar to Majborough' – Mullins has high hopes for Kaid D'Authie as novice defies drift to enter Cheltenham picture

Who says drifters don't win? Kaid D'Authie made little of a monumental market slide in the opening maiden hurdle and earned himself a quote of 10-1 (from 16) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle with Paddy Power. He was cut to 12-1 (from 25) for the Turners with the same firm, and Willie Mullins was even comparing him to the mighty Majborough afterwards. High praise indeed.

Having been evens overnight with most firms, and as short as 4-6 at one stage a few hours before the race, Kaid D'Authie took a walk all the way out to 7-2 at the off and was much bigger on the exchanges. But he won like an even-money shot and, although the winning distance was just half a length, he never really looked in jeopardy at any stage.

Mullins said of Kaid D'Authie: "He’s a lovely big, long-striding horse who has very little respect for his hurdles and looks like he could be more of a chaser.

"He’s a big chasing type and is similar to Majborough. They both cover a huge amount of ground when they gallop.

"I’d say he’ll come back here for the Dublin Racing Festival and take on the top two-milers and we’ll see where he is then."

Winning rider Mark Walsh went on to complete a 19-1 double when Win Some Lose Some won some in the Pertemps qualifier, justifying strong market support which saw him shorten to 7-2 favourite from 6-1 earlier in the day. He was introduced into the Pertemps Final market at 14-1 by Paddy Power.

Elliott moves on to 1,999

Gordon Elliott is just one away from training 100 Grade 1 winners and he is also now only one away from reaching 2,000 jumps winners in Ireland after Kovanis won the concluding bumper at evens under Harry Swan to complete a double for the trainer. No pressure, Brighterdaysahead!

Dee Capo got the ball rolling in the 2m5½f beginners' chase, a race that has been won by Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File in two of the last three years.

Quai De Bourbon was sent off the 8-11 favourite to make a winning chase debut, but he made a terrible mistake at the seventh and it was Dee Capo and Danny Gilligan who stayed on best to beat Chapeau De Soleil by a neck in a thrilling climax.

Elliott said of the winner: "He’s a nice horse and was running a good race the last day at Navan when he made the mistake and fell two out.

"He can go out in trip and showed a good attitude galloping out to the line."

Dee Capo and Danny Gilligan (right) hold off Chapeau De Soleil and Sean O'Keeffe to win a thrilling beginners' chaseCredit: Patrick McCann

No stopping Giant

Ross O'Sullivan admitted the mood in the Giant Haystacks camp was not great after he was beaten at 4-6 in a weak-looking maiden hurdle at Clonmel last time, but those frowns were turned upside down in the 2m4f handicap hurdle as the 15-2 shot scored under 7lb claimer Tom Harney.

The winning trainer said: "We all had gloomy faces after being beaten at Clonmel the last day, but it’s all worked out for the best.

"He’s a nice horse and came recommended by Aubrey McMahon and Aidan Fitzgerald. All the lads in the Keep It Simple Syndicate are from Clane [County Kildare] and are a great bunch of lads, and they will have great craic in Clane tonight."

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