Trifolium oozes class in Punchestown romp

Report: Punchestown, Sunday

Racing UK Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m, 5yo+

TRIFOLIUM, runner-up behind So Young at Navan last month, had no problems getting back to winning ways with an impressive victory at Punchestown.

On his first try in graded company, Trifolium travelled much the best of the six runners before putting the race to bed on the run to the second-last.

 

The 7-4 favourite was cut to 12-1 (from 25s) with Ladbrokes for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Despite the small field the race was run at a decent pace thanks to Rory O'Moore, who still held a narrow advantage with three to jump. However, Trifolium was eased alongside the leader on the approach to that hurdle and a decent jump put the Charles Byrnes-trained runner into an outright lead.

Asked to go and win his race, the five-year-old stretched clear impressively and, after pinging the second-last, had the race in safe keeping.

A delighted Byrnes, said: "I’m very happy with that. He’d probably prefer better ground, but he settled much better today and when he learns to settle even better he could be a very good horse. He’ll probably go for the Supreme Novices'."

Simenon, formerly trained by Andrew Balding on the Flat, stayed on from the rear to claim second for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins but never got close to the impressive winner.

Favourite backers were made to sweat following the first race of the day after odds-on favourite Allure Of Illusion was pushed all the way to the line by 13-2 chance King Vuvuzela.

The pair flashed past the post as one and, after calling for a photo, the judge was unable to split the two, awarding a dead-heat.