Jade looks a real gem on Irish debut

Jade De Grugy looked like another exciting French recruit for Willie Mullins when running out an impressive winner of the opening Savills Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Paul Townend had his mount to the fore throughout in the two-and-a-half mile contest, keeping Butcher Hollow company.

The Doctor Dino filly, a French bumper winner, was asked to kick on going to the last and soon asserted, galloping on strongly on the run-in to post a 15-length success.

Townend said:- “She's exciting, she did it nicely. I thought we built up down the back the second time and she stayed going well.

“She obviously stays well, the ground is testing there, and she has a lovely attitude. She jumped well and did everything nicely.

“I was going easy so I felt like I was dictating it a bit. I jumped one well down the back and Sean (Flanagan) came with me and pushed me from the last down the back, from there home.”