Blue Lemons may head to Cheltenham after successful hurdle debut

Blue Lemons is a smart recruit to hurdles having reached a rating of 99 on the Flat and duly made a winning debut over jumps in the Sea Moon & Jukebox Jury At Burgage Stud Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, uneasy in the market drifting out to 5/6 favourite having been 8/15 overnight, was never too far from the pace and put in a solid round of jumping.

Paul Townend sent him to the front at the final flight and the son of Blue Point was ridden to assert on the run-in keeping on well to beat Kool One by three lengths.

The pair pulled 13 lengths clear of San Hilario in third.

Mullins said, “Being by Blue Point you would wonder if he would get home but I was impressed with the stamina he showed. For a horse off the Flat he was lovely and settled and jumped well.

“I thought he’d be way more buzzy but he settled well and did it all nicely and may take his chance in the Triumph.”

Townend said, "He did a lot right and I think there is plenty of improvement to come from him.

“He took his blow and ran on again. It’s a different discipline to what he’s used to, obviously, but he took to it really well.

“I thought he could be very free coming from a mile but he did it nicely, took his blow and saw it out well. For his first day he did a lot right as the trip was an unknown as well.

“I think he’ll be a good fun dual purpose horse because with that attitude I’d say you’ll be able to mix it with him.”

Quotes by Gary Carson