Grangeclare West © Photo Healy Racing
There was a lively market ahead of the 2m4f maiden hurdle with plenty of horse fancied to lower the colour of the long-absent Grangeclare West (6/5 out to 2/1 fav) but the rangy Presenting gelding made his SP look like a steal with an emphatic victory.
Impressive in his point-to-point and in a Punchestown bumper in May 2021, Paul Townend's mount tracked the leaders and moved into a close third at the second-last. He cruised into the lead before the last and went away to beat Firm Footings by thirteen lengths.
The six-year-old was bought for £430,000 after winning at Lingstown for Denis Murphy and was one of the tranche of horses switched from Gordon Elliott's yard by owners Cheveley Park Stud last year.
Winning trainer Willie Mullins said: "He impressed me considering he was so keen early on and jumped a bit big during the race.
“Then he settled and Paul got him together and got him balanced. Once he got down to gallop he impressed me.
“I’m not sure he’s entered in the Grade 1 at Christmas and if he’s not then the obvious race would be the Lawlors in Naas.
“He surprised me in the manner he did it. As I said to the owner before racing we could run well here and finish fourth or fifth. It looked a good race.”
Paddy Power cut the winner to 7/1 (from 10s) and later to 5/1 for the Albert Bartlett and to 8/1 (from 20/1) for the Ballymore.
Quotes from Alan Magee
