SALDIER was the star of the show at Thurles on Thursday as the classy hurdler made a winning debut over fences.

The dual Grade 1 winner went to post a 4/9 shot on his first outing over the larger obstacles and was to the fore throughout in the two-mile contest.

Paul Townend’s mount jumped with exuberance and repelled the challenge of Solness from before the last, asserting on the run-in for a two-and-a-quarter length success.

Willie Mullins was on hand to welcome the nine-year-old back into the winner’s enclosure and he said of Rich Ricci’s gelding: “It’s the first time Paul came in after a beginners chase saying that he wanted more jumps!

“I’ve watched him schooling at home and he just loves it, it lights his fire. When he went out in front he was idling and the minute a horse came up behind him, or he saw a fence, he just took off.

“It’s late in the season but we had to do something with him and we decided to give him a shot at going over fences.

“I’d imagine he’ll stay at home and if we can keep him in that kind of form there are races to be picked up at home rather than travelling.

“I’m not sure he likes travelling either in his later years. He has been disappointing when we’ve brought him abroad.”

Double up

The champion trainer went on to double up with Nick Rockett in the concluding bumper.

Charlie Mullins did the steering on the 9/4 favourite in the John Thomas McNamara Series race and made all the running before pulling away late on to record a four-and-a-half length win.

The Stuart and Sadie Andrew-owned Walk In The Park gelding was stepping forward from a fourth-placed effort on his ‘track’ debut at Fairyhouse in early December.

Darragh O’Keeffe had produced the Jeremy gelding to lead before the last but he was headed on the run-in by Chainofconsequence before getting back up close home for a half-length win in the colours of Una Fitzpatrick. Walsh said: “It’s grand to get the first one. He was just waiting for a bit of good ground, he got it today and Darragh gave him a great ride.

“It was a pity that Ambrose (McCurtin) couldn’t do the weight, he’s been riding him otherwise.

“He got in as reserve and everything worked out grand.

“I took over the licence in November and I have enough in to keep me busy at the moment.”

Cromwell winner

Gavin Cromwell continued a terrific start to 2023 when Yeah Man gained a deserved win in the maiden hurdle over the extended two-mile and six furlongs.

The Westerner gelding went to post 11/10 favourite after a couple of runner-up efforts and made no mistake under Keith Donoghue.

He was prominent throughout and led two out to record a convincing two-and-three-quarter length win over Japers Jack.

“He probably wanted a trip and he got away with that ground, I don’t know if he’d be a good ground horse but it’s nice to get his head in front,” said Cromwell, who trains the winner for John Brennan and Martin Hannan.

“We’ll have a look and see what the handicapper does now. We might look at a rated novice or something.”

In the other maiden hurdle on the card, over just shy of two miles, Coolmeen Park sprang a 50/1 shock for Ellmarie Holden.

The Walk In The Park gelding surged home from the last to grab Soldier Solid close home and record a neck victory under Ben Harvey.

“We ran him in point-to-points at the start of the season but he just needed two miles and nicer ground. He’s more of a hurdler and he did it well,” said Holden.

“We’ll see what happens now and maybe there will be a sale coming up for him.”

JORDAN Gainford gave Riaan a well-judged front-running ride to claim the Leugh Rated Novice Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding had been well beaten in handicap company on his previous outing but left that run well behind.

The 8/1 shot repelled the late challenge of 8/11 shot Spanish Harlem to record a half-length win.

“He’s a very straight-forward horse and it’s lovely for him to do that,” said Gainford, in the colours of Philip Reynolds.

“We were hoping for a nice run and he loved it there today. There wasn’t much speed and he was very professional and coming to the line he was only doing enough.

“I would have loved a lead but I didn’t think it would have suited him in the end so we tipped on and he jumped well.

“Paul (Townend) was sitting on me the whole way and it was ideal really. When I jumped the first two in front I knew then he was going about his business well. He handled the ground really well.”

Second win

Julie Cashin recorded her second win of the season at the track when Thecornerhouse burst throughlate on to land the Killinan Handicap Hurdle.

Evan Dwan held up the 9/2 favourite in the two miles, six-furlong contest before charging home on the run-in to get up between Chelseas Friend and Presenting Point for a half-length win.

Cashin said: “She’s a good honest filly. We bred her and John (Whelan) bought her off us.

“She’s out of a good hardy mare and she seems to be going down that route as well.

“She stays forever and she’s honest. She’ll go home and eat every nut, she’s good like that, and she’ll be as fresh as she was yesterday.

“Evan gave her a super ride, he’s as cool as a cucumber. She jumped super and it’s onwards and upwards now.”