Quai De Bourbon and Paul Townend, near side© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins introduced another French import to make a winning debut in Ireland as Quai De Bourbon justified favouritism in the extended 2m3f maiden hurdle at Naas.
This brought up a double for Mullins and Paul Townend who also took the opening beginners' chase with Blood Destiny
The Ivanhowe gelding relinquished a share of the lead when he slowed into three out but Townend, who utilised the inner route, soon had him in a narrow lead before the next.
The 11/10 favourite stayed on best after the last as Fenway Park gave ultimately futile chase. The 'jolly' toughed it out by four and a-half lengths from the 6/1 runner-up. The gambled-on Will Wilde (9/1 - 7/2) kept on for third, beaten 10 lengths by the winner.
Townend said: “He’s a stayer and is still quite raw for a lad that had two runs in France.
"I’d say it was lack of concentration, so I gave him a slap and, when I let him on, it (the last) was the best hurdle he jumped.
“He’s a staying type and one you would associate with these colours (Gigginstown House Stud).”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
