Busty Brown clears the last under Paul Carberry© Photo Healy Racing
The 4/5 favourite (backed from 7/4 this morning and 11/10 on-course) Busty Brown continued the excellent run of Noel Meade and Paul Carberry (fifth win since last Wednesday) as he took the On Course Vets Maiden Hurdle.
The 6yo son of Mr Combustible was previously trained by Pat Fahey and performed well on each of his four starts in bumpers for Fahey.
He finished three parts of a length second to Champagne Agent on his last start in a bumper at Cork in April but he reversed the form with that fellow today.
Having tracked the leaders early on he was third at the halfway stage before he improved to lead before the fifth last flight.
He then assert under pressure away from the second last, going on to score easily by six and a half lengths from Champagne Agent in second at 11/4 under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins. Noble Pageant finished a further twelve lengths back in third at 16/1 for trainer John Neilan with Andrew McNamara in the saddle.
Winning trainer Noel Meade said afterwards: "We thought he might win it. He was behind Champagne Agent the last day but he was getting eight pounds off him today.
"The ground was also a factor. We weren’t sure whether he would go on it. He stays very well and three miles suits him. He will stick to hurdling for the moment."
The winner was bred by Martin Cullinane who trained him to finish second on his sole point-to-point start at Boulta back in November of 2011.
(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)
