Rightdownthemiddle for the layers

Things mightn't have gone exactly to plan for big guns in the market, Thunder And Roses and The Job Is Right but their efforts in the 10 Euros Admission To All Non Festival Meetings Maiden Hurdle were rather laboured anyway as 12/1 shot Rightdownthemiddle upstaged them all to prevail at Punchestown.

Bryan Cooper could have likely done with his whip on third market-choice, Chute Hall on the run-in too, but crossing the line it was Rightdownthemiddle (Johnny Cullen up) that prevailed by a neck, half a length and a length and quarter from Chute Hall, The Job Is Right and well-backed favourite Thunder And Roses.

Cullen got up the rail on the sweet-travelling Rightdownthemiddle from three out and that move could have proved crucial at the death. The 'big four' left Gort An Chnoic all of forty two lengths behind in fifth.

This was a lovely success for trainer Mick Mulvany who explained: "He's been knocking on the door and the last day he flattened the second last which exaggerated the distance he was beaten by (twenty two lengths off King Shabra who boosted that form at Naas on Monday).

"He's an out and out three mile horse and chasing will be his game.

"His owner, John Higgins is from Limerick and unfortunately he's not that well at the moment and couldn't travel today.

"We'll see what the handicapper does now before making any plans." (AM & EM)