Easy for Mundi in Thurles opener Salvator Mundi got off the mark over fences in facile style when justifying odds of 1/7 in the opener at Thurles this afternoon. Paul Townend soon took up a front-running position on the Willie Mullins-trained gelding and it proved a trouble free round as he jumped neatly throughout. The No Risk At All gelding skipped clear of his rivals before the third last fence in the two-mile-two beginners chase and didn’t need to be asked any questions as he cantered to a 28-length success. Fishery Lane won the battle of his stablemates to finish second, ahead of Dr Eggman. Townend said:- "He got turned over at short odds here previously on his first run over fences and while I didn't ride him when he was in deeper waters at Leopardstown afterwards, I thought he was a bit disappointing. "He had a straightforward task today and I thought he jumped really well and enjoyed himself. He took on his fences really nicely and stayed going well on testing ground. You couldn't knock him today." Paddy Power made the winner a 20/1 shot (from 25/1) for the Arkle Chase at Cheltenham next month. (Quotes by Tom Weekes)
