Gaucher and Kieran Callaghan. © Photo Healy Racing
A dual winner on the flat in his native France, the Willie Mullins trained Gaucher easily shed his maiden tag over flights when making most to land the Ladbrokes "2Up&Win " Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown.
Despite being slow into stride, the Mullins trained gelding was soon at the head of affairs under Kieran Callaghan. The five-year-old hurdled well in the main, aside from jumping to his left on a couple of occasions.
A big jump at the second last saw the 13/8f skip a couple of lengths clear of main market rival Omniscient and once allowed an inch of rein early in the straight, the eventual winner went further and further clear.
With Omniscient having no more to offer before the last, Gaucher went clear to beat the staying on Kimy by 15 lengths.
Winning Jockey Kieran Callaghan said: “He missed the start and he was very keen. He pulled himself to the front and once I got there he settled and jumped okay on the whole.
“He was out to his left at one or two but after that he was very straight forward and quickened away nicely from the back of the last.
“He was bought to be a nice horse and hopefully he can work out that way.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
