Adjudicator makes big impression in opener

Mr Adjudicator blew away his opposition in style to land the opener at Leopardstown for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.

The Camacho gelding was sent off 5/4 favourite on his jumps debut and raced handy under Townend in the two-mile contest.

He was sent for home turning into the straight and streaked clear as they passed the bypassed final flight.

The David Bobbett-owned gelding went on to post an easy seven-and-a-half length success over Room To Roam

The winner had scored twice on the level for Joe Murphy before being bought to switch codes.

“Eamonn Phelan sourced him for the Bobbetts so he deserves a lot of credit,” said Patrick Mullins.

“When he came he wasn't an easy ride. Leigh Byrne, an amateur in our yard, rides him every day and he's done a fabulous job with him and settled him right down.

“Our worry with him was that he'd be too keen. A lot of those ex Flat horses can be and that's why we put the hood on him. He settled beautifully and he won as he liked.

“Paul was happy with how he jumped and he's been a natural at home from day one.

“He's come to Leopardstown at Christmas and won as he liked so we'll be stepping him up in grade and with these horses you are hoping that they are Triumph Hurdle horses.

“The owners have been very lucky and Minella Encore won as their first runner for us and this is there second runner. It can probably only go downhill from here!

“They are very enthusiastic and more importantly they are lucky.”

Townend added:- "He settled great and jumped well for a first run over hurdles and he did everything right. The hood has done the job on him.

"I was afraid when they bypassed the first and it was such a long run that he could get keen and I failed to get cover on him down to the first but he was good."

The first/last hurdle was bypassed due to the low lying sun.

Paddypower made the winner a 20/1 shot for the Triumph Hurdle while Betfair go 25/1.