Cheltenham hero Presenting Percy booked this year's ticket to the festival with a first non-handicap Graded win at Gowran today as Pat Kelly's gelding landed the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle.

Last season's Pertemps Hurdle winner had been novice chasing in recent months and while successful over fences at Fairyhouse in December, connections wisely reverted to hurdling today, despite a 10 months hiatus from the smaller jumps.

Ridden by jockey Davy Russell, the seven year old eventually scored a comfortable five and a half lengths win over Augusta Kate

Trainer Kelly is shrewd and notoriously press shy in equal measure and following the race, it was left to winning owner Philip Reynolds to report “we thought today was a nice opportunity; it was December since he ran so we needed to get a run into him but I wished the rain had stopped a bit earlier.

“He had won on that ground before but you don't want to pull the guts out of a horse and then hope to get him to Cheltenham so that's why we said we'd run over hurdles, rather than a chase.

“He was very very impressive and people might think we're going for the Stayers Hurdle (at Cheltenham) next but the RSA (Chase) is made for him. But he'll have to step up now.”

Russell added “he's a lovely horse and all credit has to go to Pat Kelly. He trains half a dozen horses and he's been very good to me.”

When asked if he was surprised to see the gelding revert to hurdles:- “I was, I suppose, but nothing that Pat Kelly does is a surprise really. There was reason for it and it didn't worry me.

“His options are open now and we'll leave plans to Pat. He's made all the decisions this far and I'm sure he won't do the wrong thing from here on in.”

Paddy Power bookmaker later cut Presenting Percy to 7/2 favourite (from 9/2) for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham.

Quotes from Gary Carson