Lecky Watson on an upward curve over fences
Lecky Watson leads from Down Memory Lane
© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins' Lecky Watson (5/4f) made it two from two over fences as he lengthened away on the run-in of the Grade 3 Sky Bet, For The Fans Novice Steeplechase at Punchestown.
He faced a slightly shorter trip than the extended 2m4f he won his beginners' chase at Naas over last month.
Paul Townend made most on the 5/4 favourite and the duo began to crank up the pressure on their three rivals - Down Memory Lane Farren Glory and Ifiwerearichman - after the third-last fence which they jumped notably well.
The leader stuttered into the penultimate fence which opened the door for Down Memory Lane, however, he went on again at the last.
That wasn't his most fluent jump, but he was well in command as he drew eight lengths clear of Down Memory Lane (6/4).
Townend said: “He enjoyed the scenery anyway, I had a job getting him to concentrate.
“At the fourth and third last, when we were going on, were the best jumps he threw, but the engine is in there and he settled it very quickly.
“He’s probably more mature this year as when Mark (Walsh on Down Memory Lane) did come with me, he wasn’t trying to charge off.
“The engine is there, but we’ll have to work on his jumping, I suppose. It was frozen all week and we couldn’t give him a refresher either which probably didn’t help.
“He settled it quickly and they were no slouches behind him.
“I always thought he was a stayer, but he was just so hard on himself. If he relaxes more, it’s out (in trip) rather than back you’d be going.”
Paddy Power shortened Lecky Watson from 16/1 to 10/1 for the Brown Advisory at the Cheltenham Festival.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson