Diablo too strong for Titan

Mr Diablo knuckled down to his job on the run-in to get the better of hotpot Wrath Of Titans in the opening maiden hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

Wrath Of Titans was sent off a 8/13 shot to get off the mark over timber and made the running in the two-mile contest. He was strongly pressed by Mr Diablo turning for home, however.

Philip Dempsey's charge ran around going to the final flight but the trainer's son Luke got a good tune from him on the run-in.

The 11/4 chance wore down the favourite in the closing stages to post a half length victory. The winner was making his first start since claiming a bumper at the course in May.

“He's far from straight-forward and he had a good look at the last. He's always had a bit of a kink in him,” admitted Dempsey.

“In fairness he picked up well. I'm not sure where we'll go next but he'll go the novice route and we'll probably give him an entry in the Royal Bond.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)