Brucio timed it to perfection when chasing down Minx Tiara in the closing stages to land the opening Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Minx Tiara had led at the first down the back in the two-mile-two contest and skipped clear over the third last.

The distress signals started to go out running down to the final flight however and she was claimed by the Stuart Crawford-trained daughter of Authorized on the run-in.

JJ Slevin's mount, owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, asserted in the closing stages to record a cosy six-length.

The 20/1 winner, making her handicap debut, had opened her account with an easy win in a Catterick maiden hurdle last month.

Crawford said:- “I thought JJ had her in a great position and she jumped very well for a lightly raced mare.

“There were a couple of hares in front and luckily they have just gone a bit too hard. She’s won well in the end.

“She’s been steadily improving and won in Catterick the last day which was a good piece of race selection by Anthony (Bromley).

“We are in a different ball game today, but it has given her a bit of confidence. She has a wee touch of class about her, and it couldn’t have gone any better on the day.

“We have plenty of options now and we could think about the mares’ novice in Cheltenham or a good handicap somewhere.

“I was a wee bit worried about the ground today and I think she will handle nicer ground.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)