'That was a very good introduction' - Willie Mullins left impressed as Storm Heart surges into Triumph Hurdle picture

Storm Heart hardened to a best-priced 8-1 for the Triumph Hurdle after an ultimately very impressive debut performance in the three-year-old maiden hurdle under Paul Townend.

The Gigginstown-owned son of Storm The Stars had an eventful passage. The leader Katonah put the brakes on at a couple of hurdles in front of him, which did not do the winner's jumping any good, but he was able to regain his momentum and when Townend asked him to go and win his race after the second-last, the 2-5 favourite produced an instant response and quickened right away.

The manner in which his jumping confidence had been restored was shown by how he winged the last en route to a 22-length success.

It was a performance which surprised his trainer Willie Mullins, who said: "That was a very good introduction. I was hoping he was all right but he looks more than all right on that performance – I was not expecting that.

"Paul thought he was very brave to come back the way he did after being blindsided at a couple of hurdles. He was impressed by his attitude and by his jumping. He showed a fair turn of foot. Coming here, I thought there might be a huge amount of improvement in him and I hope there is. Everything is very positive after a performance like that."

Mullins and Townend completed doubles when 2022 Ballymore winner Sir Gerhard scored for only the second time since that Cheltenham triumph in the 2m3f conditions' hurdle.

Sir Gerhard makes a successful transition back to hurdlesCredit: Patrick McCann

The decision was made to revert back to the smaller obstacles after a fall over fences at Naas last time, and it now looks likely he will stay over hurdles for the rest of this season. 

This victory was achieved with some conviction as the son of Jeremy proved two and three-quarter lengths too good for Thedevilscoachman, also reverting back to hurdles after finishing seventh in the Troytown Chase at Navan.

Mullins said: "He has got his confidence back over hurdles and we might just stick to them for this season and go the Stayers' Hurdle route. It might be the way to go rather than sticking to fences. He jumped well at Naas up to the time he fell and it took him a while to recover from the fall. That's why we went this route and it's the route he will stay for this season.

"I thought looking at him going to the start that he looked big and well so I'm hoping there will be more improvement again."

Beast lands a punt

Gamble of the day was landed by the Eddie Cawley-owned and trained Catch The Beast in the 2m3f handicap hurdle. Backed from 20-1 overnight down to 5-2 favourite, the son of Walk In The Park bolted up by ten lengths under Phillip Enright and was value for considerably more. 

The gelding got his name having been foaled, and nearly lost, on the night of the infamous Beast From The East snowstorm in 2018.

It was also a good day for rider Eoghan Finegan, who rode his first winner on the track in the mares' bumper on Lady Bluebird for his uncle Hugh. 

However, a very good year for rider Ray Barron ended on a somewhat sour note when he received an eight-day ban for using his whip with excessive frequency on third home Glendaars Fortune.

Triumph Hurdle (March 15)
bet365: 5 Burdett Road, 6 Sir Gino, 8 Storm Heart, 9 Bunting, 14 Salver, Salvator Mundi, Kargese, Kala Conti, Liari 16 bar

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