Much-travelled Plontier outclasses rivals on Irish debut

The winner of 14 Flat races on the continent between Poland, France and Spain, much-travelled Plontier #160;(1/1 fav) made a winning debut in Ireland when easily landing the Mulhern Leonard Chartered Accountants Maiden Hurdle. 

Owned by Stawomir Pegza and trained by Willie Mullins, the eight-year-old entire raced close to the pace before going on at halfway and, despite a couple of  minor errors, went away after the second-last to beat Love Like This by 12 lengths. 

The winner, rated 93 on the level, holds an entry in the Ebor Handicap later this month. 

"I'm very happy with that, he has a lovely attitude to jumping hurdles," said rider Paul Townend.

"He missed one or two but he's a novice, so he's entitled to do that. He was looking for the next one and wants to jump. The ground wasn't what he's used to but he handled it well.