Ile Atlantique will be aimed at a second chasing start next month after a near-flawless debut over fences at Navan his month.
The six-year-old, who is trained by Willie Mullins, made a notable start to his hurdling career last season when winning on debut by 19 lengths before finishing just a neck behind the winner in the Grade One Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle.
He then contested a string of further top-level events, but did not hit the same heights when a distant third at the Cheltenham Festival and fifth and seventh respectively at Aintree and Punchestown.
This term he stepped up to the larger obstacles and started out at Navan earlier in the month, lining up for the QuinnBet Beginners Chase amongst a competitive field that included Barry Connell’s Good Land and Waterford Whispers.
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Ile Atlantique made all the running under Paul Townend and, barring a single mistake, jumped well to come home a comfortable nine lengths ahead of the latter horse, with Good Land a further length and a half back.
“He attacked his fences, he’s a much bigger, stronger horse this year,” said Sean Graham, racing manager to owner Tony Bloom.
“Christmas will probably come too soon for him so we’re looking at a novice chase in mid-January, maybe mid-to-late January. No decision has been made on it just yet.
“He jumped very well, he did all the hard work himself and that’s a big ask. We couldn’t have asked for any more from him, and the right horses chased him home in second and third.
“It was a very hot race, he was the top-rated hurdler so he was probably entitled to win on paper, but when you go chasing you have to prove that you can jump the fences and handle it, so the way he jumped was a huge plus.”
On Saturday, Majborough turned in a tremendous performance to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.
Willie Mullins elected to go straight over fences with his Triumph Hurdle hero and he looked a natural as he bounded along at the head of affairs.
Stablemates Tullyhill and Asian Master kept tabs on him, and it was Tullyhill – also a smart performer in his bumper days – who proved the biggest threat.
That challenge was only a brief one, however, as the four-year-old Majborough and Mark Walsh fairly rocketed clear after the last to win by six and a half lengths as the easy-to-back even-money favourite.
Walsh said: “He was very good. There were a few little novicey mistakes, but I wouldn’t mind that on his first run.
“He had to do it the hard way in front, but when Paul (Townend, on Tullyhill) came to him we were fairly motoring over the last two and he was good and slick at them.
“With the size of him, fences were always going to be the making of him and it was a great introduction for him. He lobbed away in front, he wasn’t keen with me. He has gears and he’ll stay, so he’s one to look forward to.
“Willie’s other two horses in the race were no slouches, so it was a good test for him.”
Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, added: “He jumped well and Mark was happy with him.
“We’ll see how he comes out of it and the Grade Two in Naas (on January 5) could be an option. We could only be pleased with the way he won and jumped.”
Mullins struck again when the Townend-ridden Judicieuse Allen (7-1) produced an irresistible late charge to get up in the McInerney Properties Rated Novice Chase.
