Strong-travelling Tully East delivers

Adrian Heskin had the proverbial 'double handful' on Tully East and the 11/4 favourite duly bounded away to land Punchestown's novice handicap hurdle.

Alan Fleming 's five-year-old gelding had top weight of 11-12 on his back but it didn't stop him easing his way to the front under a motionless Heskin after the second last.

Every other jockey exerted their arms on the home turn as Tully East tanked along towards the final flight.

One smack from Heskin on the run-in was all that was required for Tully East to stretch away from Prince Kup (10/1) by three and a quarter lengths.

Market springer Balkinstown 6/1 to 7/2, was a length and a half back in third.

Alan Fleming said: "We're very pleased with him. We were quite disappointed after Tipperary but it was my own fault as I shouldn't have run him on the goodish ground.

"He loves soft ground. He did that well today and hopefully he'll improve and step up.

"He's a lovely looking horse by a great sire (Shantou). He has it all ahead of him. He's a great jumper and will hopefully make a good chaser."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson