Policeman has to work on chase debut

Mister Policeman had to work to justify his short price on his chase debut at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

The Triple Threat gelding had been the subject of glowing reports from champion trainer Willie Mullins in recent stable tours and went to post a 4/9 shot on his first outing over fences.

Paul Townend tracked stablemate Feu Du Bresil on the five-year-old but he had to ask him to get down to business after getting underneath the second last fence.

The hotpot hit top gear on the run-in and put his head in front in the closing stages to post a three-parts-of-a-length win over the other Rich Ricci-owned gelding.

“It was messy, we went very slow, he missed the second last and Danny got away on me,” said Townend.

“I like that when I gave him a flick at the back of the last that I was back on top and it was snug by the time I got to the line.

“His jumping can sharpen up and I'd say a faster pace will help his jumping.

“We were on the back foot after missing the second last. After going that steady Danny winged the second last and got away. We had to pick him up and when I did give him a flick he extended and quickened nicely.

“He probably rides a bit bigger than he looks. I thought going along we were only in schooling mode for the majority of the race. He'd be better at a faster pace when let jump.

“The runner-up ran to a good level in Punchestown and he's unexposed. He's improving away the whole time and I'd say he'd growing into himself. He's a nice yard stick but you'd be hoping to beat him at the same time.”