Slattery eyes Cheltenham for Sir Allen

Sir Allen built upon a promising hurdling debut to get off the mark in Punchestown's three-year-old maiden hurdle.

The ex-Flat racer finished second behind a Graded prospect in Mallow and went off 7/2 for this big-field assignment.

He was always prominent under Cian Quirke and loomed large on the leader, and 15/8 favourite, Sinbad Le Marin at the final flight. Calico was also in their pitching between the pair.

The favourite cracked first on the run-in and Quirke drove Sir Allen up in the closing stages from Calico (11/2) who gave best by two lengths at the line. Sinbad Le Marin was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Trainer Andy Slattery said: “He was my only runner over Christmas and was one we thought might win.

“He’s a nice horse and since the first day he started jumping hurdles he seems to enjoy it.

“I think there is a four-year-old novice in Naas in mid-February and we’ll go there and give him an entry in Cheltenham. We’ll see what happens with the handicapper.

“He stays all day. Cian was saying he needs to run in a better race because they are going too slow for him. He’s too free and needs a faster pace.

“He was always a good jumper but is jumping a bit high.

“I’ve never had a runner in Cheltenham, so I might have one this year.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee