Mallowney shows his class in Naas opener

After winning a handicap hurdle over the course and distance two weeks ago, Mallowney followed up in the opener at Naas this afternoon, the Listed Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle.

The Tim Doyle trained 7yo son of Oscar ran out a facile seven length winner on his last start and he cruised into the straight today before jumping to the front at the last.

He was pushed out on the run-in by Paul Carberry to score by a comfortable length and a quarter at the odds of 10/1 from the Davy Russell ridden Shrapnel in second at 7/1. Moscow Mannon was sent off the 13/8 favourite (was 4/1 overnight with Paddy Power) for Brian Hamilton and Declan Lavery but he could offer no more when headed at the last and he had to settle for third, a further six lengths back. Zuzka (3/1) was still travelling well, just in behind the leaders, when she fell at the second last under Emmet Mullins.

Winning trainer Tim Doyle said afterwards: "I'm delighted with that, he looked a proper horse today. I thought the handicapper was a bit hard on him (went up fourteen pound for his win last time out) but he showed today that he is up to that class.

"It took him a while to settle and I was worried he wouldn't get home but he finished out the race well and got home.

"He goes on better ground and the ground doesn’t seem to bother him. We will look to Fairyhouse and Punchestown now to take on the big boys.

"I’m still looking forward to next year as chasing is his game. He is progressing with every run."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson