Kilcruit books his ticket to Cheltenham Kilcruit made all and cruised home in the opening maiden hurdle at Punchestown. After winning at Grade 2 and Grade 1 level in bumpers as well as finishing runner-up in the Champion Bumper at last year's Cheltenham Festival, he was beaten at odds on in his first couple of maiden hurdles at Cork and Leopardstown in December. He dropped back to the minimum trip, from two and a half miles in Foxrock, and a tongue-strap was deployed for this assignment. Punters sent him off the 1/5 favourite and Paul Townend sent him on from flagfall. The pair were soon clear but Bold Approach took closer order after the second flight. The rest of the field were toiling three out and Kilcruit soon increased his margin over Bold Approach racing to the penultimate hurdle. Bold Approach came under pressure upon touching down and Kilcruit eased away in the home straight. He jumped the last well and sauntered in by 21 lengths. The runner-up Bold Approach went off at 10/1 and was eight lengths clear of Cratloe Hill (4/1). Willie Mullins said: “He did what we set out to do but I don't know if we learned much, except that he gallops and jumps. “We'll see what the time is like compared to the rest of the day but it wouldn't have looked like the fastest two miles. “He did everything efficiently anyway and I suppose we'll keep him at the minimum trip. “He had nothing there to make him jump and sharpen him up. I just thought they weren't going a real sharp gallop. “I don't know whether I'll run him again before he goes to Cheltenham. I'd imagine he'll go for the Supreme Novices, it's hardly likely he'll have another run, he'll just go there and take his chance.” On the first time tongue-tie he added: “There wasn't a blow out of him there today. We didn't think there was an issue but maybe it's just developing this year.” Paddy Power cut Kilcruit from 33/1 to 16/1 for the Supreme and from 25/1 to 14/1 for the Ballymore. Sam Ewing, who came home in mid-division on Brian Hamilton's Maggie Barrett, has confirmed that he will be concentrating on the jumps. He switched from the Flat to the National Hunt sphere last month due to a growth spurt and has already secured three victories. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
