'I'm delighted with how he jumped' - Lecky Watson shines to deny Rachael Blackmore a winning comeback at Naas

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Lecky Watson denied Rachael Blackmore a winning comeback from injury in the opening 2m4f beginners' chase as he powered home by a length and a quarter under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.

Townend and Blackmore, riding Slade Steel, last season's Supreme winner, moved a couple of lengths clear of the field approaching the last and jumped it in unison but Lecky Watson, making his debut over fences, found enough in reserve to shake off the attentions of the 8-15 favourite to score at odds of 10-3.

The six-year-old was turning around his novice hurdle form with Slade Steel having finished half a length ahead of him in Grade 2 company 12 months ago, before running respectably when third in the Lawlor's of Naas at this track and fifth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

However, Mullins feels the Valirann gelding can scale dizzier heights over fences. He said: "I'm delighted how he jumped and settled in front. It looks like a big improvement on his hurdling form. His attitude to jumping was tremendous as well.

“He seemed to be able to put in quick ones and take a flyer when he wanted. For a horse first time over fences it was a very good start. Paul was giving me the impression that he wouldn't be afraid to go further."

The winner was cut to 25-1 (from 100-1) for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham by Betfair Sportsbook.

Robbie Power, representing the Henry de Bromhead stable, was pleased with the runner-up, who was having his second effort over fences having found Better Days Ahead too good at Navan last month.

"I thought he ran very well," he said. "He jumped super. All his form last season is on very soft ground. There's no excuses today so maybe he's just a better horse on softer ground."

Blackmore was returning for the first time since a fall at Downpatrick on September 20 and had two rides. The other being Belle The Lionness who finished third in the 2m maiden hurdle. That was won by 4-1 shot Baby Kate, who rattled home to defeat stablemate and 1-2 favourite Karoline Banbou by a length and a quarter, giving Mullins a double on the day.

Lecky Watson has been cut to 25-1 (from 100-1) for the Brown Advisory Novices' ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Shuffle an ace in the deck

Ted Walsh has another smart type on his hands in the green-and-gold silks of JP McManus as Shuffle The Deck got off the mark in the 2m3½f maiden hurdle under Mark Walsh.

Any Second Now has represented connections in splendid style in recent years by being placed in two Grand Nationals and in last season's Irish National, and there is plenty to look forward to with this son of Walk In The Park as he stayed on strongly to defeat Eastern Legend by three and a quarter lengths having been well backed into 5-4 favouritism.

Walsh said: "He stays going and he gallops. He's only a four-year-old and with his pedigree he should make a nice chaser. His brother, Verdant Place, won yesterday.

“Hopefully, he goes on to be a nice horse. I've had a few nice novices over the years and I'd say he's as good as we've had at this stage, but he has a long way to go.

“He's entered in the Lawlor's of Naas and he'll probably run there unless JP has something better he wants to run there.”

Staples punches clever

The Shane Crawley-trained Royal Time showed a tremendous attitude under Eoin Staples to give the rider his first racecourse winner in the 2m qualified riders' handicap hurdle.

The 12-1 shot bounced back from a below-par effort at Gowran in October to hold on by a neck from Added Bonus.

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