PUNCHESTOWN opened its gates for the first time this autumn and Gordon Elliott certainly enjoyed his return to the ‘home of Irish jump racing’ with a near 454/1 four-timer.

Philip Reynolds is a new name on Elliott’s list of powerful owners and the Longwood trainer’s first runner in the increasingly familiar green and white silks took the Weatherbys Ireland Mares Flat Race in runaway fashion.

Baby Twig was sent off the 5/6 favourite to make a winning debut and she could hardly have been more impressive in drawing clear from over a furlong out under Jamie Codd to beat fellow newcomer Good To Flow by 16 lengths.

“She is a good honest mare. She has not been the easiest to train and has had a few problems so she should improve from that run. She’s smart and we may have a look at the (listed) race in Navan (November 27th),” said Elliott.

The other six races on the card were all sponsored by Coral bookmakers and Zanjabeel surprised even his trainer when taking the opening 3-Y-O maiden hurdle at odds of 20/1 for the The Confidence Partnership. Mikey Fogarty produced the former Simon Crisford-trained gelding to lead before the last and, having been headed on the run-in by Zig Zag, rallied strongly under pressure to beat that rival by a length.

Elliott said: “That was a bit unexpected. He’s still a maiden on the flat and could go to the all-weather. I wouldn’t say he is a real winter ground horse but he should win plenty of races.”

GIGGINSTOWN AGAIN

The Gigginstown-owned Fire In His Eyes added to an easy Wexford bumper win last term by getting the better of a protracted battle in the straight with well-backed 11/10 favourite Bosco Di Alco in the two-mile, four-furlong maiden hurdle.

David Mullins’ mount stayed on best in the closing stages to prevail by a length and a half. “He’s a big, honest horse who jumps and stays. He’s a big chaser in the making and didn’t mind the ground (officially good),” said Elliott of the 13/8 chance.

Cecil Corbett completed a memorable day for Elliott in the two-mile, six-furlong handicap chase. The 7/2 favourite, a point-to-point winner and now successful three times under rules, was patiently ridden by Davy Russell, leading before the last and staying on well to beat Stonehall Jack by three and a quarter lengths.

“I don’t think he stayed (three miles, one furlong) the last day at Kilbeggan. Davy gave him a good ride,” said Elliott of the nine-year-old owned by Bundoran-based Liam Clancy.

Elliott relinquished the chance of a five-timer in the concluding beginners’ chase when withdrawing General Principle at the 11th hour due to fears about the ground leaving just two of the five declared to go to post.

David Mullins completed a double on the day as Some Plan justified 4/9 favouritism on his first start for Henry de Bromhead, making all to beat Art Of Payroll by a comfortable seven lengths.

“I’ve had him since July. He’s a 145-rated hurdler who jumps well and strikes me as a chasing type,” said de Bromhead before adding, “It’s no mean feat to jump around here at the first attempt and he has a few options now where to go next. We could look at England as well, which would suit the owner (Roger Brookhouse).”

CYCLONE FIRED UP

Hidden Cyclone showed there is still plenty of fire in the belly at the age of 11 when making all under Danny Mullins in the two-mile rated hurdle. The Stowaway gelding was over 10 lengths clear at halfway but that lead was almost completed wiped out entering the straight.

However, the 7/2 shot found plenty under pressure, and stayed on strongly from the last eventually beating Rashaan by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths.

The veteran has now won 16 of his 38 starts and well over half a million euro in prize-money for the Mee family and trainer Shark Hanlon sees no reason why he can’t add further to that tally. “I’d say he jumped better than ever there. Danny said he got an easy lead and he took advantage of it. It was a great ride. He will stay hurdling and go for those conditions races, and might have a run on the flat. I’d love to have a go at the Galway Hurdle again next year.”

The Bagenalstown handler added, “I firmly believe that if you give older horses a break then they don’t come back, so we’ll keep him going but not over-race him. We will find something in a few months’ time.”

Rolling Revenge (6/1) carried the colours of Leighton Aspell’s father Paddy to success in the two-mile, four-furlong handicap hurdle, travelling strongly to lead early in the straight and keeping on well for Mark Walsh to beat Tellthemnuttin by two and three-quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Martin Brassil said: “Mark got him relaxed although I thought he got there a bit too soon. He was going that well that he didn’t want to disappoint him. He’s a big striding horse and is suited by a galloping track. He jumped really well, and chasing should be his game. He’s from the family of Fortune And Fame.”

Acting Stewards

S. Barry, C. O’Reilly, N. McCaffrey, S. H. Walford, P. D. Matthews.

Horse To Follow

BABY TWIG (G. Elliott) She justified strong support when an impressive winner on her debut in the mares’ bumper with the prospect of plenty more to come.