Bellshill clears the last under Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
After winning the opener with Bleu Et Rouge Paul Townend and Willie Mullins quickly doubled-up in the second, the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle, as Bellshill ran out an easy winner on his debut over flights.
Successful on his last start in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival, the son of King's Theatre was sent off the 2/7 favourite (from 2/9 on-course) today in the colours of Andrea and Graham Wylie.
Settled just behind the leaders on the outer he improved to dispute from the third last and went on from the next, stretching clear on the run-in to score by nine lengths. Hurry Henry (7's last night and from 5's to 7/2 on-course) finished second under Andrew Lynch for Henry De Bromhead, while Inch Rise (14/1) was a further length back in third under Robbie Power for Liam Burke.
Paul Townend said afterwards: "It was a nice start for him but he'll have to step up in time. At least it showed that he's still in one piece.
"He handled the ground but I don't think any horse would really appreciate it. He jumped deadly."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
