Salmanino scores for Doyle & Flanagan

Salmanino (9/1) made all to win on handicap debut at Punchestown today, landing the Hollywoodbets Now Streaming Handicap Hurdle for trainer Liz Doyle and jockey Sean Flanagan.

There were 22 runners for the three-miles event and the six year old fought off all challengers to eventually score by a length and a quarter from A Different World

Doyle later said “I thought the extra half mile would be a nice step up for him. He's just got one gear, he jumps very well and hopefully will be an improved horse over a fence.

“We'll have to keep him at three miles to be competitive again - he's a typical Kapgarde, just a big galloper.

“I'm thrilled to have got his head in front, it's not easy winning a 22 runner handicap anywhere so I'm very pleased.”

She added “Sean said he'll be lovely over fences, he's got that big grabby stride. Hopefully there might be another one in him over hurdles. We'll look at the likes of Navan or Naas for him.

“He wants his ground and wants a gallop. It was a beautiful ride from a master.”

Quotes from Gary Carson