Striking on the mark for Harrington

Striking justified his short price with a commanding success in the second division of the two-mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding had been placed on his last two outings over hurdles and made the breakthrough in no uncertain terms.

Conor Smithers was to the fore throughout on the 4/6 shot and kicked on before the last to record a comprehensive 11-length success over Irish Envoy

“It's not before time but he had two great runs. He jumps like a buck and he loves that ground,” said Harrington.

“We'll go for a novice hurdle now and see how much he can step up. He's getting there and he can go back on the Flat as well, a mile-and-a-half on the Flat as a mile-six just gets to him a bit.”