HIDDEN Cyclone put up an admirable display when running his rivals into the ground in the Coral.ie Free Racehorse Ownership With The Coral Champions Club Rated Hurdle at Punchestown.

Shark Hanlon's evergreen 11-year-old was not for catching as he saw off the opposition in determined fashion. Danny Mullins let him bowl along in front and he soon poached a 12-length lead.

Rashaan and The Game Changer closed in menacingly after three out, but Hidden Cyclone (7-2) pulled away again to beat the former by two and a quarter lengths. Bentelimar was sent off the 2-1 favourite but could never get competitive and was struggling in the rear for most of the race.

Hanlon said: "He's unreal. He's a horse that never lets me down. That's his 16th win and has placed 13 times. We've had our problems over the years with him, but the lads in the yard do a great job with him.

"Danny was brilliant. He just let him bowl and didn't realise how far he was in front at one stage. He jumped better over hurdles than he's ever done. If he'd have jumped like that in the Galway Hurdle he might have won that. That's water under the bridge and maybe we'll win it next year.

"I know he'll be 12 but we went near to winning it this year. Danny said when he came in that this horse is getting better."

FOUR-TIMER

Gordon Elliott was the star of the day, notching a 454-1 four-timer with Zanjabeel, Fire In His Eyes, Baby Twig and Cecil Corbett.

After Mikey Fogarty had got the ball rolling on Zanjabeel (20-1) in the Coral.ie Best Price Guaranteed On All Irish Races 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle, Fire In His Eyes (13-8) outpointed favourite Bosco Di Alco to gain a hard-fought success in the Coral.ie Bet 5 Get 20 In Bets Maiden Hurdle under David Mullins.

"He's a big, honest horse who jumps and stays. He's a big chaser in the making, and didn't mind the ground," said Elliott.

Baby Twig (5-6 favourite) could be a smart recruit judged by her easy debut success in the Weatherbys Ireland Mares INH Flat Race under Jamie Codd.

Elliott said: "She is a good, honest mare but has had a few problems and has not been the easiest to train. She should improve for that run."

Davy Russell steered Cecil Corbett (7-2 favourite) to a tidy victory over Stonehall Jack to cap the foursome.

"I don't think he stayed the last day at Kilbeggan. Davy gave him a good ride," said the County Meath handler.

David Mullins later doubled up when 145-rated hurdler Some Plan (4-9 favourite) landed the two-runner Coral.ie Bet & Watch Irish And UK Racing Live Beginners Chase.

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