Thousand stars to take Grade 1 Morgiana

Report: Punchestown, Sunday

Ladbrokes.com Morgiana Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m, 4yo+

FRENCH Champion Hurdle winner Thousand Stars made it two Grade 1s on the bounce as he sauntered to a five-and-a-half-length success from Stan James Champion Hurdle hopeful Oscars Well.

Setting a stiff enough gallop for a four-runner affair, Ruby Walsh kicked off the home bend on Thousand Stars as last season's star novice Oscars Well loomed upsides looking a momentary danger.

But Thousand Stars left Oscars Well and Robbie Power to battle it out for second with Pittoni and Davy Russell as he powered clear up the home straight, showing an impressive turn of foot for a horse successful over 3m1½f in Grade 1 company on his last start.

William Hill reacted by cutting the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old to 7-1 second favourite (from 10) for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle and 14-1 (from 33) for the Champion Hurdle.

On Thousand Stars, Mullins said: "He had the best form in the race and was entitled to win like that. He'll be entered for everything as he's shown he can compete at the top level over a range of trips. The long term aim will be to win the French Champion Hurdle again.

"His next race could be in the Istabraq Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. He picked up a lot of place money last season so that's why we kept him over hurdles and haven't been chasing."