Easy win for Arteea

Arteea enjoyed a bloodless victory in the Tote Exacta Ballybrit Novice Chase at Galway.

The 11-8 favourite won by 15 lengths from Top Strategy, the only other finisher in the four-runner Grade Three contest.

Kahuna fell at the first when in front, leaving Andrew McNamara to dictate things on the Michael Hourigan-trained Arteea, with Calorando coming down at the second-last when well held.

“It was made easy for him but for a horse that doesn’t like being in front he jumped super,” Hourigan said. “This is not the easiest place in the world to jump round.

“He won the Land Rover Bumper (at Fairyhouse) last year but was sick like most of mine earlier this year. He will stick to novices and go for the better races. The ground doesn’t really seem to matter to him.”

McNamara was enjoying his first winner since losing his claim last weekend at Clonmel.