Al Boum is picture perfect in division 2

Al Boum Photo opened his account with the minimum of fuss when justifying odds of 1/3 in division two of the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.

The five-year-old gelding made a pleasing Irish debut when third at Fairyhouse last month, and Ruby Walsh elected to set the pace here on the hot-pot.

The Willie Mullins-trained French import made all and asserted after the penultimate flight to beat stable-companion Caro Des Flos by a convincing eight and a half lengths. Lachares was the only other one in this 18-runner event to make a race of it inside the final half-mile eventually finishing a further three and a quarter lengths adrift in third.

Mullins said, “I’d say the first and second will both go out in trip to two and a half miles. Caro Des Flos might even go further.

“They both jumped well enough, and Al Boum Photo could come back here for the Michael Purcell. He’ll probably get an entry in the Neptune or Albert Bartlett but coming back here could be a good plan for him.”