UN De Sceaux made light of the exhausting conditions to trounce his rivals in the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase at Cork. The free-running nine-year-old showed his class with an impressive performance on his first start for 229 days.

Kerry Lee's British raider Top Gamble got to within a couple of lengths of Un De Sceaux at one stage, but the 4/6 favourite, trained by Willie Mullins, pulled away again and was 25 lengths clear at the line under David Mullins.

Top Gamble was a worthy second, with Alisier D'Irlande 50 lengths further back in third place and Clarcam last of the four finishers. The other runner, Ballyoisin, took a tired fall two out but eventually rose to his feet, apparently none the worse.

Un De Sceaux was cut to 5/1 favourite from 13/2 for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham in March with Betfair, and to 12/1 from 16s for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Grand National-winning rider Mullins said: "That's the first time I've ridden something like him and for a horse that goes so hard, he is so clever and sharp. You're just a pure passenger on him and he does everything himself.

"A horse jumped into me at the first, but it was straightforward enough after that. He is so sure of himself and it is a pleasure to ride him. He ploughed away through the conditions and jumped really well - long or short he was well able.

"I rode him for the first time on Tuesday, I've got to look at him in the past but never thought I'd get to ride him.

"I remember his first maiden hurdle - I was walking the track to ride in the bumper and saw him and said 'wow, what's that!'. I'm very thankful to Willie and the owners for getting the ride."

Mullins was at Punchestown, where he said: "Un De Sceaux galloped away and had everything in his favour today. The ground conditions really suited him and you couldn't ask for anything more. He loves that ground.

"I've no real plans at the moment where we will go next."

MADE ALL

Shattered Love got back to winning ways by making all in the Grade 3 Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.

Gordon Elliott's six-year-old had won her first two starts over the bigger obstacle before finishing a close second to her stablemate Jury Duty in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown three weeks ago. However, she had no trouble picking up this two-mile prize in the hands of Jack Kennedy.

The 2/5 favourite was always in control and asserted from the second-last fence to come home 10 lengths clear of La Bella Vida, with Montana Belle in third.

Elliott's assistant Davy Condon said: "She was very good again. Obviously the trip, going back to two miles, was a concern although the ground helped.

"Jack said she had no problem handling the ground and never came out of third gear. She quickened away from the last and won well.

"She can only beat what's in front of her, but she was impressive. We think she's a Grade 1 mare, but she might have to take on the geldings to get that win."

TESTING CONDITIONS

Fabulous Saga came through testing conditions over a stamina-sapping three miles to take Grade 3 honours in the Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle at Cork.

Danny Mullins made all the running on the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old, who has been kept fit having had a run every month since April.

Monkshood tried to keep tabs on Fabulous Saga (3/1), but was a spent force by the home turn on the final circuit. None of the other three runners were ever able to get in a blow as Fabulous Saga almost walked past the post, 70 lengths clear of Burren Life, who picked up the pieces to claim second place.

The winning rider said: "It's a big advantage riding for Willie as they're fit and keep galloping and I spoke to Ruby (Walsh) beforehand and he said he'd gallop all day.

"He said the last day here he just didn't quicken but stayed all day and he said not to be afraid to let him at it.

"I could hear nothing from the home bend and kept him balanced and got over the last few and it was a nice position to be in. You'd have to imagine it (first-time tongue-tie) was definitely an advantage, it didn't slow me down anyway."

Vision D'Ete ploughed through the conditions best to open his account in the Galtee 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

The runners went a sensible gallop on the heavy ground and Sean Flanagan was never too far off the pace on the three-year-old, owned and trained by Noel Meade.

The race developed into a duel over the last two flights, with Vision D'Ete (3/1) getting the better of rival Azua Emery from the final flight to score by five lengths. Pete So High made strong late headway to take third place.

Flanagan said: "It's very, very testing but I did think he'd handle the ground as he is very hardy and ran on heavy here two runs ago.

"He has improved, he travelled and jumped great. Noel owns him and I'd imagine he'll be for sale."

Meade and Flanagan completed a quick double when Athenean (6/4 favourite) took the Charleville Cheese Maiden Hurdle.

The four-year-old, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, confirmed the promise of his jumps debut at Punchestown just 11 days earlier as he led two out on his way to beating Lighthouse Warrior by five lengths. The leading pair were 44 lengths clear of the pace-setting Hot Bird in third.

Flanagan said: "It's borderline there, it's very heavy, but we went nice and sensible and the last horse off the bridle is generally going to win."

READ THE FULL CORK REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD