Predators Gold has them toiling© Photo Healy Racing
The further Predators Gold went in the extended 2m3f maiden hurdle at Punchestown the better he was as he justified odds-on favouritism.
He won a €100,000 bumper on debut at this track in April which was his sole start to date for Willie Mullins and saw him go off 4/7 favourite to successfully transition to flights.
He wasn't fully fluent in fourth at the second-last as the leader Jhentong Enki attempted to stretch the field, however, Paul Townend had plenty of horse under him. He nudged him along to sweep into the lead before the last and he actually jumped it with a clear advantage.
From there, the race was over as he galloped home by six lengths from Mossy Fen Park (3/1). Doctor Elvis was a similar margin back in third at 7/1.
Townend said: “He was fresh early on, but I don’t think he’ll have any bother settling.
“He put it to bed very quickly I thought. A massive jump at the last showed there was a bit in the tank and I just had to keep him up to his work.”
Mullins added: “He was very impressive and there is a lot of improvement in him.
“I thought it was a hell of a performance considering where he was at the third last. He looks a really nice recruit.”
Paddy Power introduced Predators Gold at 16/1 for the Ballymore and shaved him from 25/1 to 20/1 for the Albert Bartlett.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
