HIS season hadn’t gone to plan up to this point but the top-class bumper horse Kilcruit got his campaign back on track with a bloodless success in the two-mile maiden hurdle which kicked off a short-priced double for Willie Mullins.

After meeting with defeat at odds of 1/14 and 4/9 on his first two outings over timber, the Cheltenham bumper runner-up was sent off at 1/5 on this occasion as he sported a tongue-tie for the first time.

In truth, supporters of the Margaret Masterson-owned gelding never had a moment’s worry. From the outset he blazed a trail for Paul Townend and he shook off the chasing Bold Approach before the straight en route to a 21-length success which looks to have set him up for a return to the big time.

“I don’t know if we learnt all that much there apart from the fact that he jumps and gallops and I think we will keep him to the minimum trip,” said Mullins. “I’d imagine he will hardly run again before going across for the Supreme Novices’.”

Double

The Cheveley Park Stud-owned Classic Getaway made it a short-priced double for the champion trainer in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle.

The 1/3 favourite, who was sporting a hood for the first time, eased into the lead rounding the turn for home but had to work somewhat for a near five-length victory over The Waltzer, although he never looked to be in any real danger of defeat.

“It was workmanlike but possibly he settled too well in the hood and I think he will improve from here,” reported Mullins. “We’ll look at staying novices for him and he’s in the Ballymore and the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham. We’ll make a decision on where he goes closer to the time.”

Captain takes charge

EAMONN Sheehy has had some high-class horses through his hands in Rathgar Beau and Justified and he looks to have his best prospect for quite some time in Captain Conby who ran out an ultra smooth winner of the Bar One Rated Novice Hurdle over two and a half miles.

A winner of a maiden hurdle here in November and a faller two out when holding every chance in a useful handicap at this track last time, the son of Conduit never came off the bridle.

The 4/1 shot cruised past Bois De Clamart to lead before the last and was eased right down by Kevin Sexton to defeat that rival by a length and a quarter.

A Cheltenham handicap tilt could be in line for the O’Reilly Butler Partnership-owned gelding and he could win a good pot before the end of the season.

“I think he is a good horse. He hasn’t been galloped, he’s been trained to progress and I think there’s plenty more to come. I think he has the potential to be a graded horse,” said the trainer.

Kevin Sexton went on to bring up a double as he teamed up with Round The Buoy, trained by David Dunne, in the first division of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over just short of three miles.

The Noel Nugent-owned gelding was making a quick return to action following a ninth to Western Zara at Fairyhouse on Saturday. A drop in class and the fitting of blinkers worked the oracle for the 12-race maiden who enjoyed an easy seven-length triumph at 20/1.

The other division went to Kilkenny-based trainer Liam O’Brien as Smash The Lamp (15/2) and Gary Noonan carried the day. The O’Brien-owned mare took a step forward here, moving into a decent lead early in the straight before being fractionally headed but stage a spirited rally to get home by a length.

Elliott’s surprise 40/1 winner

GORDON Elliott won’t saddle too many bigger priced winners this season than Rock On Cassie who struck at 40/1 (paid over 82/1 on the Tote) in the two-and-a-half-mile mares’ maiden hurdle.

A £12,000 purchase at Cheltenham’s December Sale, the daughter of Shirocco wasn’t disgraced on her debut at Navan nine days previously when sixth to Ash Tree Meadow, and the winning pointer put that initial experience to good use.

Sam Ewing’s mount had it all to do approaching the straight but soon launched a sustained charge and landed running after the last which set her up to collar Copper Nation late on.

At the line, Rock On Cassie had half a length to spare, while the 5/4 favourite Take Tea dropped out of contention after a bad mistake two out.

“That’s Sam’s first winner for us over jumps, he’s working in the yard now,” declared Elliott. “Jack (Kennedy) actually felt this mare ran well the first day she ran and she’s a grand mare who will keep improving and jump a fence in time.

“She’s owned by a group of people local to us (Breakaway’s Syndicate) and it’s great for them. They’ll have plenty of fun with her.”

Elliott also came within touching distance of victory in the four-year-old handicap hurdle but his top-weight, Doctor Churchill, found the concession of 15lb to Brian Hamilton’s Justicialism just beyond him.

The Norman Houston-owned Justicialism (13/2 - 9/2) lost the lead to Doctor Churchill on the run-in but fought back well to edge a tight finish by a neck.

The winner was making his fourth appearance over hurdles and his fourth to Fil Dor at Down Royal looked a nice effort in the context of this contest given how the form of that earlier race has worked out.

“That’s the owner’s first winner on the track,” reported Hamilton. “This horse wouldn’t show you a whole pile at home but he’s tough.”