All change in Triumph Hurdle market as Willie Mullins' ante-post favourite stunned by 33-1 shot at Fairyhouse

Romeo Coolio is no longer Supreme Novices' Hurdle favourite after being turned over by Tounsivator, one of five runners Willie Mullins sent out in the Grade 2 Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

Not one of the Closutton representatives stood out as potential candidates for the Grade 1 novice hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival, but all five finished in the first six here, with the Danny Mullins-ridden Tounsivator providing the 12-1 surprise over the 1-2 favourite, who is out to 20-1 for the Supreme.

In a race run at a steady gallop, quite a few had chances turning in, but the winner struggled to find racing room initially. When he did, he picked up well from the last and showed a superior turn of foot.

Tounsivator and Danny Mullins return following the Royal Bond Novice HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

The winning rider said: "He had been running a bit keen, but stepping him up in class helped him settle. The gaps didn't come at the second-last and I had to take him back, but in fairness he got there well in the end. In a truly run race, those conditions are probably perfect for him."

Willie Mullins added: "Everything we ran had a chance if they raced to their best and he might just have had the fitness advantage. He has a good turn of foot and the ground probably suited him better than the others. I imagine he will go on to Christmas now."

Paddy Power shortened the winner's stablemate Salvator Mundi to 8-1 favourite for the Supreme following the race.

Nimble too much for Willy

Naturally Nimble (right) challenges Willy De Houelle over the last in the Grade 3 juvenile hurdleCredit: Patrick McCann

The sound of air being slowly released from a balloon could be heard around Fairyhouse, as early Triumph Hurdle favourite Willy De Houelle was beaten on his Irish debut.

It was quite a convincing defeat as the Joseph O'Brien-trained Naturally Nimble quickened decisively past him to land the Grade 3 juvenile hurdle at odds of 33-1.

Richie Deegan gave Naturally Nimble a confident ride from the back of the field, and his Flat speed really came into play late as he scored by a length and a half.

Paddy Power have introduced the winner at 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, with Willy De Houelle out to the same price with the bookmaker.

Deegan said: "He disappointed us a little last week so we thought we'd hunt around and see what happened. He did it well. They went a good gallop, the race fell apart in front of us and we were there to pick up the pieces.

"He ran at a high level on the Flat and hopefully he can keep improving."

Washington hits the heights

The fledgling career of Berkshire trainer Harry Derham took another upward step, as Washington ran out a decisive winner of the €100,000 Bar One Racing-sponsored handicap hurdle. It was the biggest success of Derham's career, and a first winner in Ireland for Mitchelstown-born rider Paul O'Brien.

It was pretty simple too. O'Brien tracked early leader Effernock Fizz before picking him off turning in. The only danger was when Washington fluffed his lines at the last, but he was full value for his five-length victory over Enniskerry.

Washington: winner at Fairyhouse under Paul O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

Derham said: "I asked about this race a good while ago when I saw it closed early. I saw that the ground in Ireland was quite dry over the autumn and that it might suit us.

"After he won at Chepstow I considered the Greatwood, but I thought Cheltenham would not suit us at all. I knew this big galloping track would be perfect for him. It's very rare in horseracing that a plan comes together, but this one actually did."

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 11)
Sky Bet: 7 Salvator Mundi, 14 Redemption Day, 14 Jasmin De Vaux, 16 Romeo Coolio, Jeroboam Machin, Karniquet, Kopek Des Bordes, 20 bar

Triumph Hurdle (Cheltenham, March 14)
Paddy Power: 6 East India Dock, 12 Palladium, Hello Neighbour, 16 Naturally Nimble, Olympic Story, Charlus, Willy De Houelle, Murcia, 20 Mondo Man, 25 bar

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