Scots scuppers Wins Now Leopardstown bid

Scotsirish got off the mark at the fourth attempt over the bigger obstacles when proving too strong for hot favourite Wins Now in the PBS Beginners’ Chase at Leopardstown.

Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, who took the opening contest aboard Psycho, the 7-2 chance was always prominent in the two-mile-one-furlong heat.

Wins Now made headway to get in the winner’s slipstream as the principals swung for home, but he was never travelling quite as kindly as Walsh’s mount.

Scotsirish made a novicey hash of the last but Walsh sat tight and regained sufficient momentum to get home by three and a half lengths from the 8-13 favourite.

VC Bet and Totesport both offer 16-1 from 33s about the winner going on to Arkle Trophy glory at Cheltenham in March, with the latter firm also offering the same price about Wins Now.

Mullins said: “We are delighted with that. He’s bred for good ground and that was the only concern coming here today.

“Ruby was comfortable on him down the back straight and he jumped himself to the front.

“We’ll have to look at the Arkle here now (January 27) for him.”