Ulaan Baatar, trained by Jessica Harrington, was a very convincing winner of the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase at Leopardstown this afternoon.
Unfancied at 10-1 in the betting, the eight-year-old was given a quiet ride by Timmy Murphy during the opening stages of the Grade One event, but was still travelling well when moving into contention straightening for home.
Murphy only drew his whip before the last, and the gelding quickened away smartly to trounce 13-8 favourite Foreman by nine lengths.
The featured race, the AIG Champion Hurdle, gets under way at 2.45 p.m.
Murphy said: "He jumped well. It was a big step up from his last race but he went on the ground and that was the main thing today."
Harrington added: "It was just his first race over fences last Saturday and I will have to put my thinking cap on and decide what to do next. He handled the soft ground well."
Ulaan Bataar's performance divided bookmakers, with Ladbrokes introducing him to the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy betting at 8-1, but Victor Chandler going as big as 20-1.
When asked about his prospects for that race, Mrs Harrington replied: "I have no idea what to do next but I will be giving it thought."