Willie Mullins received a timely boost, having ruled his Flat Out out for the season earlier, at Navan today when his Sir Des Champs made a winning Irish debut in the Navan Golf Club Open For Membership Hurdle.

Carrying the Gigginstown House Stud colours, Sir Des Champs, under Davy Russell, displayed plenty of ability to cosily defeat White Star Line by two and a half lengths.

Mullins was not present but was represented by Harold Kirk who stated “he is a nice big horse and was bought with chasing in mind. He’ll have on or two more runs before the end of the season and handles soft ground well.”

Thomas Weekes