For Tony Bloom, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend Ill Atlantique (4/9) came home with no less than nineteen lengths to spare in the Proficient Engineering Irish EBF Maiden Hurdle at Gowran.

The Coastal Path gelding went clear from after two out to easily dispose of fourteen rivals. Diamboy Des Carres and No Time To Wait did best of the rest in second and third, but they were chasing shadows in pursuit of the Closutton runner.

“I probably wasn’t going fast at the first which was the only resemblance of a mistake he made. He covers a lot of ground and I was a passenger from there," said Townend.

“I think there is plenty to work on. It was a very good performance on ground that heavy it will find any hole in you. He’d good bumper form and is a lovely horse going forward.

“His jumping is a big asset to him.”

(AM & EM)