Bon Papa justifies short price

The Willie Mullins-trained Bon Papa justified his short price in the opener at Gowran Park when running out a convincing four-and-a-half length victory.

The 1/5 shot tracked the leaders in the two-mile contest before being produced to lead two from home by Barry Geraghty.

The JP McManus-owned gelding was always in control from there as he went on to open his hurdling account from Giant Spirit

The French-bred had taken a bumper on his debut at Fairyhouse before falling three from home when a short-price on his jumping debut at Cork earlier this month.

“He didn’t have an awful lot to beat and you could say the same about his bumper. I don’t mean to talk him down but he hasn’t had to do anything special yet,” said Geraghty.

“He did it well obviously but he is unproven. He’s a lovely sort and a nice big raw type.

“I’ll talk to Willie and see what he thinks but you couldn’t say he’s that professional. He’s good but he still has plenty to learn.

“Willie thought that it was an easy opportunity for him (in Cork) and it was but he just got stuck in the mud at the back of the third last.

“I’d say he found an easy opportunity again today. I don’t think that was the strongest maiden and the proof was in the form. It was a nice performance.

“Coming back to two miles was fine and two-and-a-half or three miles on that ground wouldn’t be an issue.”

Mullins added later:- “He’s improving all the time and I was very very pleased with him.

“I didn’t have him on the travelling list early in the season but he is now.

“Firstly I didn’t think he’d win a bumper but then his homework told us he’d win one and he won it well.

“He could probably have won a winners if we stayed that way but we decided to go jumping and he’s improving with every run.

“He would have no trouble going up in trip and I’d imagine he’s a Neptune horse more than a Supreme horse.

“He’s more a chaser than a hurdler but the amount of improvement he’s shown from last year to this year is phenomenal.”

Betfair make the winner a 33/1 shot for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.