Review PUNCHESTOWN 19th Feb

Quevega looked another smart French recruit for Willie Mullins when running out an impressive winner of the delayed opener at Punchestown on Tuesday.

Davy Condon sent his mount on after the second last from 6/4f Sivota, in the juvenile hurdle, and the well-backed filly (5/1 to 11/4) soon settled matters.

A slow jump at the last was a minor inconvenience as she went on to record a six-length margin over the market leader.

Mullins was relieved that the frost hit meeting got the all-clear saying: "I was going to go out and blow on the track this morning! I have been dying to get her out as she shows me a lot at home."

"She isn't in at Cheltenham as I didn't think I'd get her out in time. I'm happy to leave her for Fairyhouse and Punchestown and she could go for a winners of one next."

Mullins completed a first and last race double when Sports Line made a winning debut in the bumper.

Trainer's son Patrick sent the Norwich gelding on over a furlong from home and he galloped on strongly to record a length-and-a-half victory.

"He's a big chasing type and will go jumping hurdles," said Mullins. "Hopefully we can win a hurdle before the ground gets too dry. He'll go novice chasing next year."

The Carlow handler was out of luck in the first division of the maiden hurdle, however, as warm order Equus Maximus (1/1f) faded tamely turning for home to finish third.

Baily View took up the running and stayed on well, despite flashing his tail, to pull away by four lengths from last flight challenger Grangeclare Gold on the run-in.

"He'll make a nice chaser," said winning trainer Mouse Morris. "He's a nice horse. That's only his second run and he should improve."

The second division of that maiden hurdle saw plenty in with chances going to the last but Rory's Pleasure stuck on gamely to land the spoils.

"He won a point-to-point for Enda Bolger and the ground drying out a bit helped," said trainer Charlie Swan. "He could go for a beginners chase now as he has already ran in a banks race."

Andrew Hogan received a five-day after easing up on Midnight Minnie close home and losing out for second.

Tom Doyle shone aboard Powerfulpaddy in the third division as he dictated from the front on the John Queally-trained gelding.

The son of Aboo Hom has his rivals struggling after the second last and galloped on strongly to record a five-and-a-half length victory over Shakervilz.

"Chasing is his game," said Queally of the seven-year-old, who was a winner 'between the flags' for Cork handler Debbie Hartnett.

Almanyan made it two from two in handicaps when running out a two-length winner of the handicap hurdle for Ado McGuinness and Davy Russell.

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