Walsh strikes on Wild

Queens Wild powered clear in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner of the mares maiden hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

Ruby Walsh bided his time on the 7/4 favourite before taking closer order turning for home.

The Eddie Harty-trained mare hit the front going to the final flight and pulled away on the run-in to record a four-and-three-quarter lengths victory over Why Not Thistle

The winner had kept on nicely when third at Fairyhouse last month and was stepping up to 2m6f for the first time today.

"The horses are in good form. She was entitled to be favourite and I was reasonably confident," said Harty.

"I'm delighted for (owner/breeder) Robert Guiry. He's been around a long-time and I even rode for him. He's bred some really good horses over the years like Fifty Dollars More.

"She'll probably be better over three miles and we might try and get her a bit of black-type. I'd say, if Robert wants to go that way, she'd jump a fence next year."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)