Seafield delivers on 1st go over flights

Runner-up to subsequent bumper winner Sizing Mexico in a 'point' and a half-brother to top chaser Joncol, Seafield was always going to find his true vocation once tackling obstacles and he left his bumper form behind to take the opening Punchestown Event Centre Maiden Hurdle under Alain 'Squeaky' Cawley.

The big chestnut appeared to have a job on in the straight as well-backed favourite Datokepe (5/2 in the morning into 11/10 favourite) and Big Robert battled it out up front but towering in stature like his brother, Seafield's enormous stride wore down the front two on the run-in to get up close home and score by half a length.

James Nolan representing his brother Paul who is at the sales in Newmarket, said: "I didn't think he had enough done to win today as he hadn't been away for a gallop. He was unlucky not to win his bumper in Naas where they went no gallop and he was caught for toe. I don't know what happened him at the Festival here (finished ninth).

"Alain was brilliant on him there and never panicked. He gave two blows out there so you'd expect a lot of improvement. He'll probably run again in three weeks in a winners race and the Barry & Sandra Kelly Memorial at Navan would be on our minds for him. He's a fair one."