Bloodless victory for Gaelic Warrior sees his Betfair Hurdle price harden

Tuesday: Clonmel

Gaelic Warrior hardened at the top of the Betfair Hurdle market after an easy success in the Munster Hurdle, with Paddy Power cutting his price to 3-1 (from 7-2) for the Newbury premier handicap following his 15-length romp.

He was fresh and keen at the start, almost surprising rider Paul Townend into the bargain, but from there it was plain sailing as he never saw another rival, pulling clear from the second last after his jockey got a breather into him coming down the hill.

The five-year-old's performance did not really contribute any new information about the Willie Mullins-trained son of Maxios apart from the fact that the engine is very much intact.

If you were looking for things to be concerned about, the tendency to jump to his right, which probably cost him in last season's Boodles at Cheltenham is still there to a degree.

Townend said: "He was entitled to do that and we got a bit more experience into him and he's a lovely horse. He had a good blow. It's hard work out there and he's a horse who takes a lot out of himself, but we got the breathers into him.

"He does still go a bit right but I was trying to stay wide on him and all the room was to the right, so it was always going to happen but he does prefer to go right-handed.

"Hopefully he can go on and make up for the disappointment at Cheltenham last year."

Night scores by daylight

The first leg of a double for Mullins and Townend came in the opening mares' maiden hurdle, won in quite impressive fashion by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's Night And Day, an imposing daughter of Sea The Moon.

The 2-5 favourite had her only previous run in Ireland in a Grade 1 mares' novice hurdle at Fairyhouse in April which did not prove successful, but she appreciated the calmer waters of this race, making all and jumping really well for a 22-length success.

Following her victory, Night And Day was cut to 8-1 from 14's for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham by Paddy Power.

Townend said: "Her jumping was brilliant, these hurdles were nearly too small for her given her size. I think she will improve for a fence but she has a future over hurdles before then."

Ageless O'Connor delivers the goods

Veteran amateur Mikey O'Connor showed that he still has what it takes as the 41-year-old was seen at his strongest in getting the Liam Burke-trained 20-1 shot Grange Island home by a head in the Rathronan Maiden Hunters Chase.

"He ran on when I put the stick down and started roaring at him!" said O'Connor.

A delighted Burke commented: "He's still well able to ride them. He gave him a great ride. He rode a couple of point-to-point winners for me there recently and he used to ride a good bit for me in the past."

Burke added: "He's a funny old horse at home. I always thought a good bit of him but he disappointed me. He cost the price of a good horse!"

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