Getabird impresses on chase debut

Getabird made the perfect start over fences at Punchestown this afternoon to continue a fruitful day for Willie Mullins.

The dual Grade 2 winning hurdler was sent to post a 4/7 shot on his first outing over the larger obstacles and Ruby Walsh had him to the fore throughout in the two-miler.

He asked the son of Getaway to quicken up before the last and he soon asserted.

The Rich Ricci-owned gelding powered away on the run-in to record a seven-and-a-half length success over Articulum

“That was a good exhibition of jumping and he did it well. He likes this track,” said Mullins.

“Ruby thought he was in control the whole way. I thought they were lining up behind him at the third last but Ruby said he was very comfortable in front.

“I thought he was going to be beaten going to the last but the next thing he just flew it, was gone and put the race to bed so I'm very happy with that.

“He's better right-handed and Leopardstown is left-handed at Christmas.

“We might head towards Limerick for the new Grade 1 over two-and-a-half miles.

“That race has been lucky enough for us over the years.

“I don't know if he wants that heavy type of ground that they might get in Limerick but we'll have to take what we get.

“I'm easy enough about trip with him. It was the fact that the race was in Punchestown was why I ran him here.”

It was a treble on the card for Mullins and Walsh while the champion trainer also had three winners down in Cork.