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Rathgar Beau ran out an easy winner of the opening Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday.

Dusty Sheehy's gelding was settled at the back of the field by Shay Barry and was always going well in the two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Barry eased the 4-9 favourite up to the leaders at the second-last and he soon quickened clear to win by nine lengths from Barrow Drive.

It was a fourth Grade Two victory of the season for Rathgar Beau.

Sheehy said: "He might have got there a bit too soon, but still did it well.

"Hopefully everything will go well between now and Cheltenham, although I don't know which race we will go for yet.

"We will decide much closer to the time whether it will be the Queen Mother Champion Chase or the Daily Telegraph Chase.

"Shay is adamant we should go for the the Queen Mother, but I'm not so sure."

Rathgar Beau is a best-priced 33-1 with Cashmans for the two-mile championship race, and is 12-1 with Boylesports for the Daily Telegraph contest over a further five furlongs.