Review impresses on racecourse debut

Up For Review put himself in the picture for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March as he ran out an easy winner of the last at Leopardstown, the Thornton's Recycling INH Flat Race.

The five-year-old son of Presenting ran out an impressive winner of a point-to-point on his second start career start at Knockanard in February when trained by John Costello.

He was subsequently purchased by Graham and Andrea Wylie and sent into training with Willie Mullins.

Making his racecourse debut today he was sent off the 9/10 favourite.

Sent straight into the lead by Patrick Mullins the victorious brown gelding made all, stretching clear when pushed out in the straight, going on to score easily by ten lengths. Beyond The Obvious who was backed from 25's to 12's on-course, finished second under Mark Lynch for his father Martin while newcomer Robin Thyme was a further length and a half back in third under Nina Carberry for Gordon Elliott at 5/1 (from 7's on-course).

Willie Mullins said afterwards: "I started working him in October and had him ready to run on November 1st but I just did too much with him and he went over the top so I decided to put him away.

"He was doing fantastic work at home and today he showed that work was right. He set a very, very strong pace.

"Patrick has a clock in his head and I knew that if he was going that pace he was comfortable doing it. He burned off his rivals and nothing had a chance.

"He has pace, he stays and he jumps. He's got everything and I think he's a really nice horse for Mr and Mrs Wylie.

"He's one to look forward too. We'll probably go the bumper route and go to Cheltenham. He's really a chaser in the making.

"He's by Presenting so his pedigree says he'll go on good ground and when you see him gallop at home he really flicks his toe out. The good ground at Cheltenham should suit."

The winner was introduced at 14/1 for the Champion Bumper with Paddy Power.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson