Easy for Ivan in Grimes Hurdle

Following on from Simenon and Diakali in the last couple of years, Willie Mullins made it three with the Ruby Walsh-ridden Ivan Grozny (strong 9/10 favourite) in the Grade 3 Kevin McManus Bookmaker Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary.

Ivan Grozny made all and he was clear from the second. The French-bred Turtle Bowl gelding extended the advantage four out and he kept on strongly in the straight for an un-extended eleven length win over his stable companion Sempre Medici

"There wasn't going to be any chance of settling him," explained Walsh.

"He was actually ok over the first but after the second he started to charge but I was thinking to keep rolling and hopefully I'd be far enough in front to not get caught.

"The track is in great condition but it is a dead-level track and a very quick track and you need to have pace to win around here.

"I'm sure he'll have an entry in the Galway Hurdle but with his style of running, could you see him finding from the dip home, I don't know but it wouldn't be for me! Maybe there is a good race on the Flat for him."

(TW & EM)