Ballyburn made a winning start over fences in the Conway Piling Beginners Chase at Punchestown.
The leading novice hurdler of last season and former winning pointer was sent off the 2/11 favourite and never looked in any danger, jumping well throughout.
Dee Capo tried to keep tabs on the winner but tired between the final two fences, a mistake at the last allowing Ballyburn’s stablemate Ocastle Des Mottes (12/1) to come through for second albeit 13 lengths adrift.
Betfair and Paddy Power cut the winner to 2/1 for the Arkle at Cheltenham and go 4s from 5s about for the other Grace One novice chase at the meeting, the Brown Advisory.
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“He did things very well and took a good blow during the race which means there is a lot of improvement to come,” said trainer Willie Mullins.
“A lot of ours are running that way and it was a worry going out. He jumped from fence to fence and I was very pleased. I think Paul was very pleased as well. He has a lovely low head carriage and usually horses with a head carriage like that are very good jumpers.
“I haven’t been looking past today but we’ll have a look at what’s available and there is a chance he could go to England.”
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