‘Percy’ shines for Russell on chasing debut

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL hero Presenting Percy made a successful start to his career over fences in the Beginners’ Chase at Galway yesterday.

The six-year-old provided trainer Patrick Kelly with his second successive victory in the Pertemps Final in March and the previous year’s winner, Mall Dini, also featured in this eight-runner contest.

Presenting Percy, an 11/4 chance in the hands of Davy Russell, travelled and jumped f luently throughout the two-mile-sixfurlong affair.

De Plotting Shed, the 2/1 favourite on his fencing bow, did his best to make a race of it from the home turn, but Presenting Percy brushed him aside fairly readily by three lengths.

HAPPY

Kelly said: “I’m happy and Davy is very happy, so that’s a good sign. We’ll see where we go from here. He jumps well.”

Mall Dini was fifth on his first appearance since occupying the same finishing position in last season’s Kim Muir.

Three-time bumper winner Ainsi Va La Vie was the 1/2 favourite to maintain her unbeaten record on her first start over jumps in the opening Maiden Hurdle, but could only finish third behind Noel Meade’s 10/1 shot Half The Odds, ridden by Jonathan Moore.

Ruby Walsh steered Call It Magic to a clear-cut success in the Kone Handicap Chase. Trained by the rider’s brother-in-law, Ross O’Sullivan, the 2/1 favourite came home with five-and-a-half lengths in hand.