Draconien made a very pleasing Irish debut for Willie and Patrick Mullins when landing odds of 8/13 with a facile success in the Next Meeting Thursday January 11th (QR) Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel.

The Clipper Logistics owned gelding showed plenty of promise on his only previous start in a Grade 1 bumper in France last year, and looks an exciting addition to the Closutton team.

Patrick Mullins elected to make all on the son of Linda’s Lad, and he oozed confidence hardly moving a muscle as the four-year-old cruised clear from two out to score by 12 lengths. Mighty Stowaway kept on one paced to take the runner-up spot, with Allardyce a further three and a half lengths away in third.

"I think he's a very good horse," says jockey Patrick Mullins as Draconien makes an effortless start for @WillieMullinsNH on Irish debut at @ClonmelR... pic.twitter.com/OZnncKtFOp

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 7, 2017

Willie Mullins said, "He is a nice sort for the future and jumps very slick. He was very sharp over his hurdles especially out of that ground when a lot of horses can't jump out of it. He didn't waste an inch in the air, which usually some of those French horses do.

"Christmas might be a bit soon but he'll go shortly after then."

(TW & AM)