Dedigout delivers in style on chasing debut

A Grade 1 winner at the Punchestown Festival in April, the Tony Martin-trained Dedigout made a successful start over fences when coasting to a 34 lengths win in the opening beginners’ chase in Punchestown yesterday.

Sent off a red-hot 2/9 favourite, the six-year-old jumped well and tracked Beeverstown (set a strong enough pace in the heavy ground) until edging ahead after the third last. Soon clear, Davy Russell’s mount was in command when the longtime leader took a tired fall at the second last, leaving Dedigout to win unchallenged.

“He did everything you could ask him to do first time,” said a delighted trainer Tony Martin. “Both Davy and myself were very happy with his jumping, We’ve always hoped he was a good horse and he showed it today. He’s a real winter ground horse.”