Thousand Stars made all to win the featured Ladbrokes.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown this afternoon for the all-conquering Willie Mullins, part of a four-timer for the champion trainer.
The grey, who had to play second fiddle to stablemate Hurricane Fly so many times in the past, was a deserving winner of the Grade 1 contest under Ruby Walsh.
Having captured the French Champion Hurdle in June, the 7yo son of Grey Risk was well fancied to claim today's contest and was sent to post the 5/4 favourite.
After making all he was ridden to assert before the last and went on from there to score by five and a half lengths from Oscars Well (2/1) under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.
Mullins said afterwards: "He will be well entered up in the Champion Hurdle and the World Hurdle.
"He seems to run up to his mark every time he runs. He has picked up a lot of prize-money along the way and is a great servant.
"He had the best form over 2m in this race and was a stone in hand on official figures. The Aintree Hurdle over 2m 4f, which he ran a cracker in last season, is a long term realistic target.
"He will be left in the Hatton’s Grace as late as possible but he will probably go for the 2m Grade 1 Hurdle at Leoparstown at Christmas."
Winning rider Ruby Walsh added "He has been in Hurricane Fly's shadow for a long time but is a good horse in his own right and is very versatile trip wise."
Jessica Harrington said of Oscars Well: "He'll stay over 2m for the moment. He is only a second season novice and improved all through last season and I’d say he will do the same this year.
"He is the type of horse that could run into a place in the Champion Hurdle and he will be better with a quicker pace. The Aintree Hurdle is a long term target for him."
Stan James now go 14/1 Thousand Stars for the Champion Hurdle from 33/1, while they go 11/2 for the World Hurdle from 8/1.
