Turban too competitive for favourite

The Willie Mullins-trained Turban romped to a convincing six lengths win over gambled-on favourite Competitive Edge in the €100,000 The Underwriting Exchange Dan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase in Fairyhouse yesterday.

Ridden by Ruby Walsh, the seven-year-old, in the colours of Un De Sceaux’s owner Eddie O’Connell from Glanmire, travelled smoothly, took command between the last two fences before forging clear to complete a double for the champion trainer.

And Willie Mullins, a critic of the decision to move the Dan Moore from its traditional Easter slot in a swap with the Normans Grove, admitted: “I’m not in favour of the move, although I’m the beneficiary today. It’s too early in the season for a race like this. I ran the two top-weights last year, but looked for horses with a different, less exposed profile this time. And I’d imagine this was Turban’s Gold Cup for the year.”