Westport Cove takes Grade Three honours for Mullins and Townend

Westport Cove made all to land the Grade Three Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase at Roscommon in straightforward fashion.

The 4-6 favourite was quickly sent to the head of affairs by Paul Townsend, with main market rival King Of Kingsfield settling in behind him as the field were well strung out.

The Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old was not asked any serious questions as he had it all his own way over the extended two and a half miles.

Special Cadeau laid down the challenge jumping the last, but Townend always had enough in hand and guided the Muhtathir gelding to a one-and-a-quarter-length victory, with Special Cadeau chasing him home in second as King Of Kingsfield weakened on the run-in.

“It suited him, back to two miles and not as stiff a track,” said Townend. “The fences up the home straight helped him as his jumping is an asset.

“This place suited him better than Galway, he ran a cracker there but the hill caught him.

“He wants nice ground, but he handled the ground during the winter last year and ran in some good beginners’ and got good experience in them.

“He’s definitely better on the top of the ground, though.”