'He came alive when he went to the front' - Easy Game stars for Willie Mullins

Saturday: Gowran Park

The prolific Easy Game made it win number 15 as he landed the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase for the second time. But for unseating three out last year, it could have been a hat-trick.

Under Brian Hayes, he overcame a slight mistake two out to re-assert going to the last and re-affirmed his superiority over stablemate Kemboy from their meeting at Listowel a couple of weeks earlier.

Two and a quarter lengths was the margin of victory this time compared with 11 lengths at Listowel, as he recorded his fourth win over fences at Grade 2 level.

Willie Mullins' assistant trainer David Casey said: "He came alive when he went to the front at the third-last, although Brian felt the ground was a bit dead for him.

"It's possible that he might go to Down Royal for the three-mile Grade 1, even though it's not really his trip. A lot will depend on the ground. Kemboy ran well and he will go to Down Royal."

Banbridge impresses

Martin Pipe winner Banbridge produced the performance of the day with a taking display of jumping to land the 2m4f beginners' chase for Joseph O'Brien and JJ Slevin.

He made all and attacked his fences with fluency in beating market rival Indigo Breeze by eight and a half lengths and was given an introductory quote of 20-1 by Paddy Power for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

"He jumped very well," said Slevin. "He had been good in his schooling at home and you would hope he could achieve over fences something like he achieved over hurdles. He has a very good brain for jumping fences."

Cougar pounces

The search might be over for finding the best early season juvenile hurdler, as the ex-Ballydoyle inmate Cougar, still an entire, made an impressive winning debut in the opening three-year-old maiden hurdle under Mark Walsh.

Now trained by Padraig Roche for JP McManus, the 92-rated Flat maiden winner finished the race more impressively than he started. Some sticky early jumping soon rectified itself, and by the end of the race he looked far closer to the finished article.

Favourite Charlie Luciano looked to have taken control of the contest entering the straight with a few lengths to spare coming to the last, but a faltering stride and awkward jump opened the door for Cougar.

It was an opening he was happy to take and his winning margin of a half-length was cosy.

"He's a lovely horse to get and you couldn't ask for a better start," said Roche. "Mark said when he got going he really got the hang of things. It was a lovely introduction and he is an exciting horse to have."

Roche completed his second double when Walking On Glass landed the 2m4f handicap hurdle under Aidan Kelly. It was his seventh win and he could go to Limerick later this month for the Munster National.

Results, replays and analysis

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