Professional Mouchoir looks the real deal on chasing debut

Having guided Petit Mouchoir to the top level in the 2m hurdling division last season, the task now for Henry de Bromhead is to perform a similar job in the equivalent novice chase division, and it could not have started any better with a smooth win in the beginners' event at the track's opening fixture.

His jumping was fluent throughout for Davy Russell, but perhaps even more impressive was the manner in which he put out a leg at the final fence to turn what could have been a race-ending error into something that wasn't serious at all.

De Bromhead said: "That's what we hoped he would go out and do, and he did it. He had been schooling very well at home but until they actually go out on the track and do it you are always a bit anxious. He jumped very well and he was even a bit clever when he got a bit close to the last. The Craddockstown Novice Chase here next month should be a nice race for him."

Asked about how the son of Al Namix had progressed since last season, he added: "He's filled out more physically, he ran a bit heavier here today, but he's still a young horse and hopefully there's more to come."

Campeador gets over the line

Having taken a couple of heavy falls at the final flight the last two times he has ridden Campeador, it would have been understandable if Barry Geraghty had his heart in his mouth running down to the final obstacle in the 2m rated hurdle.

There was no reason to worry though as the gelding jumped that hurdle as well as he had any of the other obstacles in this race to register an easy length-and-three-quarter success over a strong field.

It was the first leg of a double for Gordon Elliott and whether he sends him down the Champion Hurdle route will be interesting to see.

Of equal interest was the performance of the Gigginstown-owned Cracking Smart in the 2m4f maiden hurdle and he certainly did not disappoint under Jack Kennedy.

Cracking Smart looks a very useful recruit to novice hurdles for Gordon ElliottCredit: Patrick McCann

He produced as good a round of jumping as one could expect from an inexperienced novice and a big jump from him, and a sloppy one from his main pursuer, Shady Operator, at the final hurdle put the seal on this victory.

"He's a nice horse and a big chaser for the future," said Elliott with typical understatement.

THE BUZZ

It was not a welcome return to the new season at Punchestown for bookmakers, as the first six favourites all obliged.

It was a very memorable day for rider Sean O'Keeffe, 18, from Taghmon in Wexford, as he rode his first winner on the track from just his second ride, when winning the mares bumper on Cordovan Brown for his boss Liz Doyle.

Thought for the day

With so many good horses making their seasonal debuts at Punchestown yesterday and today, it is becoming ever the case that this two-day fixture signifies the beginning in earnest of the jumps season.

Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com