'He's an out-and-out stayer' - Stattler new National Hunt Chase favourite

Sunday: Naas

Paul Townend hailed new National Hunt Chase favourite Stattler as a "proper stayer" after the exciting novice edged out Farouk D'Alene in a driving finish to the Grade 3 Naas Racecourse Business Club Novice Chase.

Some of the 3m1f event's lustre was lost when Run Wild Fred, who started the day as 100-30 favourite for the National Hunt Chase, was withdrawn due to a temperature, but the seven-runner affair was still a high-quality contest.

En Beton, one of three in the race for winning trainer Willie Mullins, was to the fore most of the journey, while Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase runner-up Farouk D'Alene and last year's Albert Bartlett hero Vanillier sat nearest to the pace, just in front of Stattler.

A mistake six from home did no favours for En Beton and he had no more to offer when tackled on either side at the top of the straight by Farouk D'Alene and the pushed-along Vanillier. Meanwhile, Townend coaxed Stattler into a challenging position.

Stattler: built on his Fairyhouse beginners' chase win to score at Naas on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

As Vanillier tried his best to dig in, it became apparent approaching the last the finish concerned only Farouk D'Alene and Stattler, albeit all three left room for improvement in their jumping.

The response from 11-10 favourite Stattler was too strong late on for the gritty Farouk D'Alene, who failed by a length and a quarter under Jack Kennedy for Gordon Elliott.

"He was tough," Townend said of Stattler, now 3-1 favourite (from 9-2) with Paddy Power for the National Hunt Chase.

12.40 Naas: full result and replay

"I think he's an out-and-out stayer. It was a nice gallop and especially from the back of the last, he dug in well. I think that's the sign of a proper stayer.

"I had him down as a complete schoolmaster in terms of his jumping, but he let me down once or twice today without looking like doing anything silly. He's a very good jumper, but I was just a little bit disappointed in that area today."

Echoing the sentiments of Townend, Mullins said: "I was hoping he'd jump better. He was a bit novicey but I suppose this was a big step up in class from his first chasing win at Fairyhouse. He'll have learned an awful lot.

Willie Mullins on Stattler: 'He'll have learned an awful lot'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I'd imagine that now puts him into the National Hunt Chase. I think the extra five furlongs, just going a bit steadier, will suit him."

The Ronnie Bartlett-owned performer was able to fulfil the qualification requirement of finishing in the first four in a chase over 2m7½f for that festival target, but stablemate En Beton failed to do so as he dropped away tamely to be fifth.

"I was a little disappointed he faded so quickly," said Mullins. "He jumped well before making one bad mistake. I thought he'd gallop the whole way up the straight.

"Maybe that's as good as he is, we'll see. It was a hell of a novice chase and making the running in a race like that can be tough work. He may need softer ground."

National Hunt Chase

Betfair Sportsbook: 3 Stattler, 100-30 Run Wild Fred, 7 Capodanno, 10 Farouk D'Alene, Threeunderthrufive, 12 Fury Road, Ontheropes, Vanillier, 14 bar

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