Loughglynn takes in the scenery but wins easily

Loughglynn (2/5f) was the second unplaced Cheltenham Bumper-runner to score on hurdling debut for champion trainer Willie Mullins at Punchestown today, landing the Connolly's Red Mills EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle under Paul Townend.

Mullins ran ten horses in the festival's Grade 1 race in March, filling 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th,

10th, 15th, 19th and 21st places, and with fifth-placed It's For Me winning today's earlier maiden, ninth-placed stablemate Loughglynn followed up.

The Vendangeur-gelding made all and while wayward at early jumps and sloppy jumping the last, was never in danger and comprehensively defeated runner-up Native Speaker

Townend later quipped “he enjoyed the scenery around Punchestown and had a look at every hurdle and the big wide-open spaces.

“The race wasn’t that competitive, and he’ll be better when he’s concentrating on what he’s doing. When he got there, he was well able to jump but was dossing everywhere. He has loads of power and he’ll jump alright.

“He’s a stayer and is going to be chaser.”

Quotes from Alan Magee