El Fabiolo has put himself firmly in the Arkle picture with a stunning success on his chasing debut at Fairyhouse.
After winning convincingly on his first start for Willie Mullins at Tramore on New Year’s Day, the five-year-old did not run again until the spring where he pushed Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon close in a Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree.
On the strength of that form, he was a short price for his reappearance and first start over the larger obstacles in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase and the result was never really in doubt. Ridden by Paul Townend, the 1-5 favourite went straight to the lead and quickly opened up a significant advantage over his rivals.
