Cosy for Conn as Hands proves wayward

Princely Conn justified his short price to make a winning debut over timber in the opening maiden hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon.

Tom Mullins' charge had been narrowly denied by recent Fairyhouse winner Sheamus on his last bumper start at Galway and was a well-backed 1/2 shot (from 4/6) to open his jumping account first time.

Fill Your Hands took them along in the two-miler but it wasn't long until he showed a tendency to jump sharply left at his hurdles.

Princely Conn got a lovely run through on the rail to challenge turning for home, and with his rival again giving ground away at the last, he went on for a cosy two-and-a-half length victory.

The Mark Walsh-ridden winner was carrying JP McManus' colours for the first time and Mullins said:-

“It's great for a trainer when a new owner wins first time out.

“I was delighted with the way he jumped apart from the last. The second horse didn't do himself any favours, and he made it handier for us, but I wasn't complaining.

“I've big things in my head for him but I'll see what the owner wants to do first. He doesn't want heavy ground but anything else will do.”

Walsh added: "It was a pleasing first run over hurdles and I'm delighted with him. He jumped away well.

"I didn't want to be upsides Bryan (Cooper) too soon as his horse was giving a bit of trouble. I got a grand lead most of the way and he's done it very easy in the end."

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)