Boston Bob (Ruby Walsh) has Un Beau Matin's measure at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
With a bit of luck we'll be seeing the close relations Briar Hill and Boston Bob contesting staying hurdles at Cheltenham come March and the latter made a lovely return to the smaller obstacles in the Follow Punchestown On Facebook Hurdle.
The uneasy odds-on favourite, a faller over fences at Cheltenham and the Festival here back in the spring, soon found his rhythm over flights and he headed Un Beau Matin at the last. From there he stayed on strongly in the hands of Ruby Walsh up the run-in to oblige by a comfortable ten lengths.
Willie Mullins, who also saddled Mourad (3/1 into 5/2 and finished sixth) stated: "That was a nice performance. He hasn't been doing that at home on the gallops and I didn't expect anything like that.
"Mourad ran poor and coming here I wouldn't have been surprised if this lad had done the same. The owner (Graham Wylie) is keen to go for the World Hurdle.
"Whether that's a World Hurdle performance or not I don't know but we may go along that route.
"If we're thinking of going that way then the Cleeve Hurdle (next month) could be a possibility at Cheltenham."
Meanwhile on weekend plans Mullins explained: "I just stuck those horses in the Tolworth (on Saturday at Sandown) and I don't know what we're going to do yet. Briar Hill may run at Naas on Sunday in the Slaney Hurdle."
P. Townend, rider of Mourad trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled throughout this race.
The Stewards received a report from the Clerk of the Scales, Mr P.L. Malone, regarding the failure of B.J. Cooper, rider of Rivage D'Or (FR), placed fifth, to weigh in after this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that it was a complete oversight on his part as he mistook his finishing position. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that B.J. Cooper was in breach of Rule 227(i) and severely cautioned him having taken his good previous record into consideration and furthermore they disqualified Rivage D'Or (FR) from fifth place in accordance with the provisions of Rule 230(ii).
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Mourad, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have lost an off fore shoe.
(AM & EM)
