Lecky Watson beating Slade Steel by a length and a-quarter© Photo Healy Racing
Lecky Watson (10/3) was driven out to account for odds-on-favourite Slade Steel in the opening beginners' chase at Naas.
Paul Townend sent him on after the second fence in this extended 2m4f contest and he jumped with aplomb throughout. He settled well at the head of affairs on this chasing bow.
He was stalked by 8/15 favourite Slade Steel, who didn't jump quite as well as the leader, and the race boiled down to the front two before the last fence.
Lecky Watson got away from it well and was always holding Slade Steel who went down by a length and a-quarter. There was plenty of encouragement in the chasing debut of Blizzard Of Oz (10/1) who travelled into the race and kept on for third, beaten just under two lengths by the winner who is a stablemate of his.
Slade Steel, the reigning Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner, was half a length in front of Lecky Watson in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Navan last December.
Willie Mullins said: “That was a good performance, I'm delighted how he jumped and settled in front. It looks like a big improvement on his hurdling form.
“Fences are bringing out improvement in him and I'm very happy with that. His attitude to jumping was tremendous as well. Paul was very happy with it and I was very happy watching.
“He seemed to be able to put in quick ones and take a flyer when he wanted. Generally, for a horse first time over fences it was a very good first start.
“Paul was giving me the impression that he wouldn't be afraid to go further.
“He said before the race that he thought this was his trip - I thought he might want a bit further, but he thought this was the right place to start him. Maybe we'll stay around this trip.”
Mullins, who was named 'Manager of the Year' at the RTE Sports Awards last night, added: "I was delighted to get it and delighted for racing to get the award.
“I was delighted for everyone in Closutton, you can't be a good manager unless you have good people behind you.
“Also, with all our owners, you have to have something to manage. It's great to have the horses and the owners that we have.
“You always feel that racing mightn't be the most popular sport at these sport stars awards, so it's great to see racing getting a look in as well.”
Paddy power cut Lecky Watson from 100/1 to 25/1 for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase and pushed Slade Steel out to 33/1 from 16/1 for the Arkle.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
