Mullins 'very pleased' with Ballyburn's chasing debut

The exciting Ballyburn enjoyed his first crack at steeplechasing with a facile victory in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

The Closutton charge had an exemplary campaign over flights last season as he clocked up Grade 1 novice hurdle successes at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown.

His debut over fences was eagerly awaited by racing fans and he didn't disappoint.

Paul Townend kept it simple on the 2/11 favourite who made all and jumped from fence to fence throughout this extended two-and-a-quarter-mile trip.

His closest rival, Dee Capo made a mistake four out and, at the next fence, the front three (Ocastle Des Mottes in third) were clear of the remainder.

A good leap over the penultimate fence saw Ballyburn extend his advantage and he sailed over the last to cruise in by 13 lengths from Ocastle Des Mottes (12/1). Release The Beast (50/1) stayed on to be third, some six lengths further back.

Willie Mullins said: “He did things very well and took a good blow during the race which means there is a lot of improvement to come.

“A lot of ours are running that way and it was a worry going out. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very pleased. I think Paul was very pleased as well.

“He has a lovely low head carriage and usually horses with a head carriage like that are very good jumpers.

“I haven’t been looking past today but we’ll have a look at what’s available and there is a chance he could go to England.”

Paddy Power shortened Ballyburn from 5/2f to 2/1f for the Arkle and made him 4/1f from 5/1f for the Brown Advisory.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee