Westport Cove delivers Grade Three victory for Mullins and Townend at Roscommon

Westport Cove and Paul Townend (left) win the Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Steeplechase (Grade 3) from Special Cadeau at Roscommon. Pic: Healy Racing Photo.
Westport Cove, trained for Cathal Hughes by Willie Mullins, made all to land the Grade Three Ballymore Group Irish EBF Kilbegnet Novice Chase in Roscommon, second leg of a double for the champion trainer and stable-jockey Paul Townend.
Outstayed by stable-companion Gold Dancer in a similar contest in Galway last time, the 4/6 favourite dictated the pace, shook off the attentions of market rival King Of Kingsfield before the second last and stayed on under pressure to keep Special Cadeau at bay by a length and a quarter.