IRISH Champion Hurdle winner Petit Mouchoir made a pleasing debut over fences in the Coral.ie Bet & Watch Irish And UK Racing Live Beginners Chase at Punchestown.

Henry de Bromhead's front-running grey, who went on to finish third to Buveur D'Air in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, burnt off Brelade between the final two obstacles.

While he got in a little tight to the final fence, he never looked in danger of falling and coasted over the line in the hands of Davy Russell to justify 8/13 favouritism.

Prior to the last he had barely put a foot wrong and looks a smart recruit to the chasing game.

Russell said: "You'd be nervous heading out on him as today was very important he did things right with the future in mind. Henry is a master at improving hurdlers to chasers and he looks to have done it again.

"Having run in a point that's a huge bonus, it gives them such a good grounding. We hadn't done that much schooling, two bits outside, though Henry does plenty himself. He gave him a pop yesterday and he was very good.

"The country is full of high-quality horses and he's one, it's a highly competitive sphere but I'm sure he'll hold his own."

Paddy Power cut the winner to 8/1 market leader for the Arkle Trophy in March.

De Bromhead said: "Davy gave him a super ride and we can breathe a sigh of relief. It's what you hope he would go out and do and he's done that. I'm delighted.

"He'd been schooling really well, until you see it on the track you are always a bit anxious, but he looked great there.

"He's clever, and he could come back here for the Grade Two (Craddockstown Novice Chase on November 19). We'll see what everyone wants to do, but that would look a nice race for him.

"He's always worked really well, but physically he's probably filled out more, and he ran a bit heavier here today."

CONFIDENCE BOOST

Campeador boosted his confidence with a comeback success in the Coral.ie Free Racehorse Ownership With The Coral Champions Club Rated Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained grey fell when looking the likely winner of the 2016 Fred Winter and again hit the deck at the last when a competitive Fairyhouse handicap was in the bag last December.

There was no repeat this time because after travelling strongly into contention, the 11/8 favourite cleared the final flight efficiently before striding a length and three-quarters away from Wakea.

The victory completed a double for Barry Geraghty and owner JP McManus following the opening-race win for Espoir D'Allen.

Elliott said: "He's a nice horse and we'll have to see where we go from here but he has a nice engine."

Asked whether the Champion Hurdle could come into the equation, Elliott said: "We'll see where the lads want to go but he's going to have to improve a lot to be thinking about going that way.

"Once he's okay in the morning, that's the most important thing and Barry said he could jump a fence."

DOUBLES

Elliott was also on the scoresheet courtesy of Cracking Smart in the Coral.ie Bet 5 Get 20 In Free Bets Maiden Hurdle.

The 4/7 favourite made his move after jumping the penultimate obstacle and although the Geraghty-ridden, McManus-owned Shady Operator tried to go with him, Cracking Smart proved four lengths too strong.

Elliott said: "He's a nice big horse and a chaser for the future. He'll stay over hurdles this season."

Espoir D'Allen, the first leg of the double for Geraghty and McManus, ran out a very impressive winner of the Coral.ie Best Price Guaranteed On All Irish Races 3-Y-O Hurdle.

Successful on his sole start in France, since when he has been snapped up by McManus and joined the Gavin Cromwell team, the 11/10 favourite settled in mid-division before taking closer order nearing the end of the back straight.

As tearaway leader Little Princess came back to them, Espoir D'Allen and Masterstonemason went on, but Geraghty looked much happier and only had to nudge his mount out for a four-and-a-half-length success.

Cromwell said: "He's a grand little horse. He's not that big but he jumps brilliant and he was fit and ready for today. Obviously the winners had their penalties and we had a little allowance but he's done it well.

"We'll take our time with him and I couldn't see him going to Down Royal (in early November)."

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