3 minute read

Ballyburn stamped his authority on the two mile novice hurdling division with an easy victory in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland 50th Derby Sale Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Ridden by Paul Townend, who was suffering no ill effects after his fall from Gaelic Warrior in the previous race, Ballyburn was always prominent throughout the two mile contest and sprinted clear around the omitted final flight.

He stayed on strongly all the way to the line, with Henry De Bromhead's very useful Slade Steel in second and King Of Kingsfield third. The well-supported Farren Glory was never travelling and couldn't get involved in the race.

"It was a great performance, I'm absolutely delighted. He met hurdle after hurdle right and was in control the whole way. Paul was very happy with how he did things," said trainer Willie Mullins.

"He did everything right over the minimum trip, which is good.

"He has a very low head carriage which is usually a good sign in a horse, I like it, but it's not nice for the jockeys at times."

Paddy Power reacted to the win by shortening Ballyburn from 5/2 favourite to 5/4 favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and cutting him from 5/2 favourite to 11/10 for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.