Buiseness Sivola and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins landed the opening Grade 3 REA Grimes Property Consultants Hurdle, but not with the one the market expected as Buiseness Sivola (7/1) prevailed in the curtain-raiser at Fairyhouse under Paul Townend.
The Ruby Walsh-ridden 11/8 favourite Dicosimo didn't pick up as well as seemed likely earlier, from the second last, and indeed he dropped to fourth in the closing stages.
Buiseness Sivola meanwhile, travelled sweetly to the front turning-in, he asserted from before the last, convincingly containing Prussian Eagle and Sam Red at the finish.
"Paul said he was travelling with him at all stages. He's obviously improving and is maybe just a spring horse," said Mullins.
"He's been improving at home. Paul rode during the week and was very pleased with him.
"He's been jumping too big and I told Paul to try and get in behind the first two and hopefully his jumping would be sharper than at Cheltenham.
"The experience of Cheltenham and the faster pace helped. I think it was maybe a case of him learning his trade over French hurdles.
"We'll look forward to Punchestown now.
"I wasn't too sure about Dicosimo and took a chance running him."
R.M. Power, rider of Prussian Eagle, trained by Charles O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount never travelled in this race.
(GC & EM)
