WINS LIVES UP TO NAME

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Madden - impressive ride.

By PA Sport Staff

Wins Now is on course for the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle after a smooth two-and-a-half-length success in the Irish National Hunt Festival Novice Hurdle at Punchestown on Wednesday.

Sent off the 2-1 favourite after winning his last two starts at Cork and Navan, he was given a very confident ride by Niall 'Slippers' Madden, riding for his father, 'Boots'.

Michael O'Brien's Montana Bay (4-1) led the field into the straight, with Eamonn Sheehy's Holly Tree (5-2) looking the biggest danger.

However, 'Slippers' refused to panic and waited until the second-last flight before asking his mount for everything and the JP McManus-owned son of Croco Rouge picked up in great style.

The disappointment of the race was Edward O'Grady's Medicinal, who had been well-touted beforehand but faded tamely to finish seventh of the eight runners.

Madden senior said: "He has an entry in the Supreme, but we'll see as there are piles of races here for him.

"He handles heavy ground well, but 'Slippers' said the ground was a bit dead for him today.

"He gave him a very confident ride and he won well. He's a smart horse and will make a lovely chaser next year. He's a big horse, about 17 hands, the perfect build for a chaser."