Min© Photo Healy Racing
< Min lived up to the hype with a bloodless success in the Festival Hospitality On Sale Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.
Willie Mullins' French recruit was having his first start on Irish soil but was already at the forefront of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle market, and showed why.
Ruby Walsh had him out of trouble in the front and only had to let out an inch of rein for the 4-11 favourite to coast home 14 lengths clear of Gurteen
That completed a treble for Mullins, kickstarted by Net D'Ecosse (2-1), who came out on top in a thrilling finish to the Punchestown For Events Beginners Chase.
Having taken the lead approaching the last, a slow leap saw him passed by Peoples Park but he battled back and scored by a nose, with just a head back to the running-on Blazer
Mullins' Thomas Hobson made every post a winning one in the Buy Your 2016 Annual Membership Hurdle.
With his sights lowered after finishing second in a Grade Three at Navan, it was perhaps surprising that he wasn't made favourite, with that honour going to Gordon Elliott's Jetstream Jack
The market leader tracked Thomas Hobson into the straight but had no answer when Walsh asked his mount for maximum effort, and the 6-5 chance passed the post with two and three-quarter lengths in hand.< Winter Magic made a successful return to action in the Buy Your Tickets Online At www.punchestown.com Handicap Chase.
The 7-1 shot tracked the frontrunning Kilcrea into the straight and after jumping to the front at the last, he stayed on well for a four-length verdict.
The 10-year-old Nevskij (7-1) ran out a determined winner of the Racing Again At Punchestown On New Year's Eve Hunters Chase.< The Brock Inn (7-2) took the Follow Us On Facebook And Twitter Mares Maiden Hurdle, while the Buy Your Go Racing In Kildare Badge Handicap Hurdle went the way of Fighting Days (16-1).
