'Everything comes very easily to him' - Firefox cut to 10-1 for Supreme Novices' Hurdle after impressive Fairyhouse win

Firefox was cut to 10-1 from 25-1 for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle after an impressive display under Jack Kennedy in a hot-looking 2m maiden hurdle.

The imposing son of Walk In The Park was sent off an even-money second favourite with the unbeaten Ballyburn a 10-11 market leader for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, and it turned into a match between the two turning into the straight. 

It was Firefox who picked up well from the front having made the running and he settled the issue with good jumps at the last two flights as he scored by two and a half lengths. The remainder were left more than a dozen lengths in their wake.

It is probably no exaggeration to say that these two horses would have been first and second favourites for Sunday's Royal Bond Novice Hurdle had they been running, and it is far from unrealistic to think they would have finished first and second.

Winning trainer Gordon Elliott said of Firefox: "He's a good horse. We thought he needed two and a half miles which is why we made the running. He could still go that trip, but Jack said he has so much boot and is so laid back and relaxed that everything comes very easily to him. He looked good, didn't he?

"I love the way he jumped. Jack said the best was over the last two when he just put his head down and galloped. I loved his attitude."

Corbetts Cross off the mark

The opening beginners' chase was hardly a race lacking depth either, and leading staying novice hurdler from last season Corbetts Cross proved good enough in the hands of Mark Walsh for trainer Emmet Mullins and owner JP McManus.

The son of Gamut showed the benefit of a slightly underwhelming debut effort at Naas a few weeks previously, as he stayed on well from the final fence to beat the front-running Three Card Brag by three-quarters of a length. 

Both the first and second look as though they will be even more effective over further, and the winner was cut to 8-1 (from 16-1) for the Turners Novices' Chase, and perhaps more interestingly to 10-1 from 20-1 for the Brown Advisory. 

Mullins said: "He had a run under his belt which was a big advantage there. It was tough going and that was probably the difference. 

"I might not be quite as confident if we meet the same horses again with runs under their belt, but we can go on to better races now."

Conor Stone-Walsh remains unbeaten over obstacles as he guides Solness to victory in the Listed handicap chaseCredit: Patrick McCann

Stone-Walsh makes it look easy

Two out of two over jumps – easy game this.

After winning on his first ride over hurdles at Cork last Sunday, Conor Stone-Walsh was victorious on his first ride over fences when landing the Listed handicap chase on Solness for his old boss Joseph O'Brien. 

Stone-Walsh looked like an old pro, giving his mount plenty of daylight on the outer, and he tanked through the race, winning going away by six lengths from Fighting Fit and Dont Go Yet.

Very little fazes Stone-Walsh, who had a look on his face afterwards as if he was wondering what all the fuss was about. He said: "It can only go downhill from here unfortunately! The horse was good though. He probably travelled a bit too strong, but when I got stuck into him he battled it out well.

"I'm very thankful to a lot of people and to Joseph for giving me the ride. I spent a lot of time down there and it's nice to repay him."

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