Skorcher (bits of 14s into 8/1) may have had his Willie Mullins-trained stable companion Glenlo Abbey ahead of him in the betting but that didn't stop the Emmet Mullins-ridden son of Flemensfirth from doing the business in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Plenty had chances at the business end of the two and three quarter miler but Skorcher, a bumper winner this time two years ago at Navan, equipped with a tongue-tie for the first time and stepping up in trip here, fought off Raz de Maree.
Willie Mullins said: "That was a pleasant surprise - I thought Glenlo Abbey was the best of my three. Skorcher needed that trip and he may go chasing now. I'll have to chat to the owners who might want to preserve his novice status."
