CONNECTIONS have their eyes set on some big targets for Glen Kiln, after a cosy success in the William Hill Committed To Proper Hurdle at Punchestown on Tuesday.

The Harry Kelly-trained gelding had crashed out at the last with the race at his mercy in a Grade 3 at Tipperary just nine days prior to the race and went to post a 4/7 shot to gain compensation.

He made every post a winning one, under Brian Hayes, and was in control before the last flight. He popped that hurdle for a cosy three-and-a-half-length win.

Kelly said: “He was very unlucky the last day, but horse and rider were okay and that was the number one thing. The lads had spotted this race. It was only nine days later, but we said he was fresh and well so we said we’d take the chance and he did what he had to do today.

“That breed improves with age, the lads have been saying that from the start. We’re very happy with him and very happy to have him. He’ll probably get an entry in the Hatton’s Grace and go from there. That’s what the lads are thinking. They’ve been there before, I haven’t.”

Cromwell on a roll

Fresh off his historic win with Stumptown in Czechia, Gavin Cromwell bagged a double on the card courtesy of Secret Force and Reiki Revolution. Secret Force made a stylish start over jumps when claiming the opening William Hill 3-Y-O Hurdle in the colours of Jimmy Fyffe.

Conor Stone-Walsh produced the Frankel gelding to lead over the last in the two-miler and the 10/3 shot quickened away in fine style for a six-and-a-half-length win over Hopes Are High.

“I suppose he was getting weight off the winners, which was a bit of a help, but it was still a nice performance on his first run. He picked up well,” said Cromwell. “He has plenty of size and scope, so hopefully he can keep improving.”

Cosy win

Reiki Revolution was sent to post a 1/2 shot in the Play Final One Standing William Hill Maiden Hurdle and ran out an easy winner under Keith Donoghue.

He sent the James Dunne-owned gelding on after the seventh flight and the Wings Of Eagles gelding asserted turning for home to post a cosy 11-length success.

“He was settling grand, but it just got a bit messy and he went on with him,” said Cromwell. “He did everything right, it wasn’t much of a race, but it was great to win with him. I’m hoping the handicapper doesn’t do a whole lot to him, I don’t think he should, off the back of that race.”

TRAINER Paul Flynn also bagged a double on the card. The Truant put himself in the shop window with success in the two-mile William Hill Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle.

Eoin Staples produced the 17/2 shot to lead over the last and he went on to post a length-and-a-quarter win over Eastmore. “He had been running really well on the flat all year, but had been disappointing over hurdles,” said Flynn.

“That ground was perfect for him. The ground during the year was getting too tacky and he was just struggling on it. He needs proper good ground over hurdles nowadays.

“He’s in the online sale next week. If he gets sold on Tuesday, he’ll be gone. I think he’d win hurdles all day in England, just with the way the ground is - it’s nicer ground over there.”

Later, in another challenge series event over two and a half miles, the four-year-old Pourquoi Poi struck at 10/1. Jack Kennedy was prominent throughout on the Ocovango gelding and he kicked on before the last for a four-and-three-quarter-length win over Head For Home.

“He’s a grand horse. We always liked him, but he was a very weak horse,” Flynn.

“David and Albert Broad recommended him to us, they bought him privately and told us he was a nice horse. I was looking for a horse for Paddy (McGuire). We ran him a few times and then gave him a break. He’s just gotten stronger. He’ll be a much better chaser, I think, in time.”

IN the other handicap hurdle on the card Rising Dust ran out a game winner of the two-mile, seven-furlong event. The Emmet Mullins-trained gelding went to post 11/8 favourite and led turning for home, under Donagh Meyler.

Ceanndana came to press the Leading Light gelding at the last, but Rising Dust found plenty to record a half-length win.

“He was good and brave down to the last and stuck his neck out when he needed to. He was very game to the line,” said Meyler.

“I probably wasn’t travelling as well as I expected to down the back, but I came out for a bit of light and he seemed to jump on to it again.”

Bonnet a smart one for Mullins

Easter Bonnet made an impressive winning debut in the concluding bumper for Willie and Patrick Mullins. The Doctor Dino filly went to post a 4/7 shot and quickened up smartly in the final furlong to record a comprehensive six-and-a-half-length win.

“She’s bred by the French version of my mother, Madame Jackie Mullins!” said the winning rider. “We’ve a few mares over in France. She’s obviously by Doctor Dino and it’s a wonderful pedigree, we’ve had five winners out of the dam already.

“This (Temple Bloodstock Shadows) syndicate had a mare during the summer that did a tendon, so they bought this one and it’s great for them to have a bit of luck. I’d imagine she’s earned her chance to go to Cheltenham in November.”