Cocooner capitalises as main rivals are scratched

With a couple of fancied rivals scratched because of the drying ground, Minella Cocooner (3/10 fav) took full advantage of a good opportunity to land the Mervyn Gray Construction Maiden Hurdle.

Willie Mullins ’s Kilbeggan bumper winner was turned over at the same price on last month’s hurdling debut at Cork but had little difficulty going one place better on this occasion.

Prominent throughout, the Flemensfirth gelding headed My Design (18/1) on the approach to the home straight and went on from the third-last to beat that rival by six and a half lengths with Vintage Prosecco (11/1) the same distance further back in third.

Winning rider Paul Townend remarked: "He’s maturing the whole time. He’s a galloper who covers a lot of ground and over fences is where we will see the best of him. He’s a big stamp of a horse.

“He’s improved from the run the last day and I think he can keep improving away.”

Quotes from Alan Magee