MIN justified a tall home reputation and consolidated his position as favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle when making a highly impressive Irish debut in the Festival Hospitality On Sale Maiden Hurdle, the highlight of yet another treble for champion trainer Willie Mullins.

The French import, by the same sire (Walk In The Park) as last season’s Supreme hero Douvan, was sent off the red-hot 4/11 favourite and made light work of beating his 20 rivals in this two-mile, two-furlong race. Ruby Walsh’s mount led before halfway, and came home on a tight rein to record an effortless 14-length victory.

“The rumours are true!” quipped Mullins before adding: “He could easily go back to two miles, and I would have no fear of going two miles, four furlongs. He looks to have plenty of gears as I thought they were going a good gallop and yet he took off around halfway.

“He jumped very well for a horse having his first run on an Irish racecourse and we will plan for something in the new year. The first race that comes to mind is the (Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle) race that Vautour and Douvan won here next month.”

Paddy Power make him 7/1 favourite for the Cheltenham Festival opener while BoyleSports were even more impressed and go just 6/1.

Rich and Susannah Ricci’s colours were also successful with Thomas Hobson as the 6/5 chance made virtually all in the Buy Your 2016 Annual Membership Hurdle winners hurdle and kept on strongly on the run-in for Walsh to account for chief market-rival Jetstream Jack (9/10 favourite) by two and three-quarter lengths.

“His jumping is improving but it can improve more and he will be better on better ground,” said Mullins before addin:, “Unless his jumping improves a good bit he could go back on the flat. The trip seemed to be no trouble to him.”

STRONG HAND

Mullins held a strong hand in the opening two-mile beginners’ chase with 5/4 favourite Blazer plus 2/1 second choice Net D’Escosse, and it was the latter that came out on top but only after a thrilling three-way photo-finish.

Net D’Escosse handed the initiative to Peoples Park after a slow jump at the last but Bryan Cooper galvanised the Gigginstown-owned son of Network to get back up right on the line by a nose with Blazer finishing best of all only a head further adrift.

Mullins said: “He was a bit fortunate but jumped well until the last. I’d say he will go up in trip. Christmas will probably come a bit soon and we’ll find something for him in the new year. Blazer jumped well but just didn’t have enough speed when they quickened. He’ll go out in trip as well.”

The Buy Your Tickets Online At www.punchestown.com Handicap Chase proved a real triumph for the Jimmy Mangan yard with Winter Magic heading stablemate and fellow 7/1 chance Kilcrea at the last before staying on best on the run-in for Adrian Heskin to beat that rival by four lengths.

The Conna trainer said: “The cheek-pieces are a big help and he travelled well. He’s got a good, tough pedigree that gets better with age. He could go for the Thyestes if he gets in. He’s bred by Tina Kouwenberg, who is originally from Holland but lives in Castlelyons, and owns him along with Nicola Kent.

“Kilcrea ran a cracker as well. It’s a pity that we had to run the two of them but you run out of opportunities with meetings being called off. Both horses like a good galloping track.”

NICHOLSON

The Brock Inn has her owner-trainer-breeder John Nicholson looking forward to the Leopardstown Christmas meeting after the well-backed 7/2 shot took the two-mile mares’ maiden hurdle. David Mullins’ mount led approaching the last, and stayed on well to beat the frustrating Snaidhm by three and a quarter lengths.

Nicholson said: “They all told me that she wouldn’t go on the ground but I knew she would. She worked the other morning and I never saw her work so well. There is a decision to be made now about Leopardstown as I’ve two good mares, her and Ma Garrett, and they have a few options but that is where she’ll go. David said she travelled well all the way, and was full of running at the end.”

Nevskij put up an exhibition of jumping to make all for Eoin O’Brien in the hunters’ chase. The seven-year-old made light of being over a year on the sidelines, overcoming his only slight mistake at the last to beat Quiet Account by three and a quarter lengths. “It’s good to get him back as he was out for a year with a leg problem. At this level he’s a good horse and, if he comes out of this okay, he could go to Down Royal after Christmas,” said Paul O’Flynn, who trains the 7/1 winner near Mallow for his father Thomas.

Fighting Days (16/1) lived up to his name when digging deep for Andrew Lynch on the run-in to get the better of The Pounds by a neck in the two-mile handicap hurdle. Fran Flood, representing his father and namesake, said: “The ground was too gluey the last day. He battled well but probably got a bit of a freebie in front and saved a bit everywhere. He’s owned by local lads Kevin Cunningham and Tim Owens.”

ACTING STEWARDS

Mrs J.O. Onions, C. O’Reilly, P. Caffrey, Mrs T.K. Cooper, M.F. O’Donoghue

HORSE TO FOLLOW

GURTEEN (R. Tyner): Unlucky to come up against the impressive Min on his debut under rules. The point-to-point winner looks sure to make an impact under rules.