Conti scores readily on Irish debut

The Willie Mullins-trained Bello Conti made a successful Irish debut when justifying odds-on favouritism in the opening Clonmel Maiden Hurdle.

The Coastal Path gelding was snapped up by Gigginstown having been placed on his only hurdle outing in France earlier this year, and was sent off the 8/13 favourite here in a maximum line-up of 18.

Bryan Cooper ’s mount led approaching the straight, and drew right away on the run-in to beat Madfuninthewest by seven and a half lengths. Joshua Lane made eye-catching headway to join the leaders on the downhill run to the straight but could find no extra from two out to finish another seven and a half lengths away in third.

Mullins said, “He’s a nice horse and can go up in trip. He’s a staying hurdler and we’ll find something for him in the New Year. He’s a decent recruit.”

(TW & AM)