Triumph Hurdle hero Majborough halved in price to 6-1 for Arkle after impressive chasing debut

Triumph Hurdle winner Majborough made a perfect start to his career over fences when successful in the 2m½f beginners' chase at Fairyhouse.

The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old set out to make all under Mark Walsh. After stablemates Tullyhill and Asian Master loomed up in the home straight, Majborough put the race to bed with a fine jump at the last before galloping clear.

Betfair Sportsbook cut Majborough to 6-1 (from 12) for the Arkle in March, in which Mullins has the 7-4 favourite Ballyburn, while Coral shortened him to 5-1 (from 8).

Walsh told Racing TV: "He was very good. He made a few little mistakes as a novice would, and he had to do it the hard way in front, but he fairly motored over the last two fences when Paul [Townend] came to him on Tullyhill, and was very slick at them. I couldn't be happier."

Majborough had drifted from odds-on to evens favouritism before the off, but there was hardly a moment of doubt for the JP McManus-owned star in his six-and-a-half length success.

"Fences were always going to be the making of him and that was a great introduction," Walsh added. "He's not a slow horse and he has plenty of gears, but he'll stay too. 

"You'd have to be delighted with my lad as Willie's other two horses were no slouches. All of the options are open now."

Walsh and McManus doubled up with Beyond Your Dreams' win in the 2m½f maiden hurdle.

My Pension Expert Arkle Chase (Cheltenham, March 11)

William Hill: 7-4 Ballyburn, 5 Majborough, 6 Sir Gino, 8 Inthepocket, L'Eau Du Sud, 12 Firefox, 16 Ile Atlantique, Slade Steel, 20 bar

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