Janidil looks on upgrade after landing nice handicap pot

Janidil made it two from three since joining Willie Mullins when running out a cosy winner of the North Down Marquees Handicap Hurdle at Down Royal.

The French-import was second on his first outing for the champion trainer at Tramore on New Year's Day and returned in winning form when taking his maiden hurdle at Tipperary last month.

He followed up in good style in today's €50,000 contest on his handicap debut in the two-miler.

Mark Walsh had the 11/4 shot prominent throughout and he disputed going to the third last flight.

Having fought off the attentions of Hearts Are Trumps after the second last he asserted before the final flight. Walsh eased up close home for a three-parts-of-a-length win. Try Again stayed on late to get up and deny Shumaker for the runner-up spot.

Willie Mullins said: "We thought he was nicely handicapped so came down this route which we wouldn't normally do. I'm very pleased as he handled the ground well and jumped well.

"His jumping has improved and he had clear air in front today. He has a lot of experience coming from France. He had run in a handicap in France and I think that probably made a big difference just being up there out of trouble. He also had to have the ability to be up there out of trouble which he seems to have off his rating anyway.

"He'll improve through the season. We'll see what the handicapper does but he can do either (go down the novice route or handicapping). We'll have a look at how the novices are faring out.

"I won't make a real plan today, we will see what happens the next few weeks."

Mark Walsh said: "He did it well and it is nice to pick up a pot like that in his first handicap (in Ireland)."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)