Holymacapony shows plenty on hurdle debut

Point-to-point winner Holymacapony graduated to the track in fine fashion in Punchestown's extended two and a half mile maiden hurdle.

A slick jump three out took him into the lead and another good jump at the next saw him take a couple lengths out of the 5/4 favourite Gaillard Du Mesnil

As they straightened for home, Holymacapony hugged the rail while Gaillard Du Mesnil came down the centre of the track.

Holymacapony was ridden before the last by Rachel Blackmore and, while he wasn't fully fluent at it, he was better than the pursuer who lost momentum.

The leader went on by eight lengths and was returned at 7/2. Takarengo came in well adrift of the front pair in third at 3/1.

“We're delighted with that. He came well recommended after he won his point-to-point,” said Henry de Bromhead.

“It's lovely to see him start off like that. It looked like he'll stay well.

“We'll see how he comes out of it and we could maybe look at the race at Navan before Christmas, over two-and-a-half miles (Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle).”

Holymacapony won 'between the flags' at northern venue Kirkistown in February.

Paddy Power gave him a first show of 25/1 for both the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson