Racing: Cooldine staked an early claim for the Cheltenham Festival when making a successful chasing debut at Thurles. The 6-4 favourite duly obliged in the www.thurlesraces.ie Beginners Chase for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.
The 3lb claimer, deputising for the injured Ruby Walsh, had Cooldine up with the pace from the start and took over from early leader Darling Harbour with over a mile to go.
Moskova tried to put in a challenge, but she could not get close enough and Cooldine pulled away in the straight to win by 19 lengths, with The Spoonplayer third.
Mullins said: "He's done it well and I hope he will improve from there. He only made one mistake at the third last, but overall I was very happy with him.
"He's in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse on Sunday week but that might come a bit too soon and it might be a bit too much to ask him at this stage. We'll probably go for a winners' chase and take it from there.
"Paul has his chance now with Ruby out. He had two winners last weekend and that winner is great for him and he has schooled this horse at home."