Turcagua initiates a great day for Mullins

On what proved a great afternoon for owner Rich Ricci and trainer Willie Mullins, Turcagua justified good support in the Buy Your 2017 Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.

The six-year-old grey gelding, available as big as 5/2 overnight and backed on course from 6/4 into 1/1, made virtually all under Ruby Walsh and kept on well from before the final flight.

The French import, who won a Navan bumper 12 months ago and was third to Monalee on his hurdles debut here in the fog last month, kept on strongly to beat Champagne Classic by nine and a half lengths. Toe The Line a Listed winner on the Flat, was a further length and a half away in third.

Turcagua was introduced at 25/1 for the Neptune with Betfair, Paddy Power and Boylesports, while the latter firm quote him at 20/1 for the Albert Bartlett.

Mullins said, “The trip was no problem, and he can go further in trip. He’s a fine, big chaser for the future. A clear passage today was a big help. He may run over Christmas but we’ll see how he comes out of it.”