Punchestown 21 5 24 Belloccio and Paul Townend win the Punchestown Maiden Hurdle Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
Formerly a very smart 105-rated Listed performer on the flat, the Willie Mullins trained Belloccio made a winning start to his hurdling career when proving too classy for the opposition in Division ll of the Tuesday Treat At Punchestown Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Townend, on his only ride of the afternoon, was content to track pace setter Bold Brook for much of the contest. Moving up to challenge two out, Townend found his mount jumping to his right at that obstacle, most likely through inexperience more than anything else.
Soon back on an even keel, Belloccio was sent on entering the straight, quickly opening up a gap on his field on the run to the final flight. Despite pecking on the landing side of that obstacle, the grey recovered to run out a very easy nine length winner.
Paul Townend said: “He brought a good level of form into the race and showed a good attitude for jumping, he did it nicely.
“It's a different sphere, jump racing to Flat racing, and it lit him up a little bit. Every time he could hear them coming he was getting a bit keen.
“He'll have no problem adjusting to jumps racing, he just has to learn on the job a little bit. He jumped well and quickened up nicely.
“He had a little peck at the back of the last, at speed, but he got his feet out. You learn every day as novices. I'm delighted to get him going and think he could be smart.
“I'd imagine as long as the ground is okay he has the option of staying going. I think he sets a nice level and there could be some nice targets later on.
“Not all of them have as many runs on the Flat as he did and that showed in his keenness to get on with it. It's a different tempo but he'll be fine and he'll take to jumping.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
