Billy Gleeson after riding his first winner on Castlebawn West© Photo Healy Racing
Castlebawn West provided Billy Gleeson with a first winner under rules and also completed a treble on the day for champion trainer Willie Mullins in the bumper at Clonmel.
Gleeson (23) is a son of Co. Limerick trainer John and took advantage of this opportunity with Patrick Mullins serving a ban for his use of the whip at Cheltenham.
The five-runner affair proved quite tactical on the testing ground and really developed into something of a sprint in the straight.
Castlebawn West quickened up nicely over a furlong out, and the 5/2 chance had little difficulty holding the challenge of Gallowglass by two and a quarter lengths.
The runner-up was available at 40/1 before racing but was a real springer in the market on track and supported from 20/1 down to 6/1 at the off.
Gleeson said, "I've had three point to point winners and before this (joining Mullins) I was in Dubai and had been in John Ferguson's in England.
"When I came home I thought Willie's would be a good place to come to and I've been there a year. I wasn't expecting this and it was just the way things happened and it just came along."
Mullins said, "It might look easy but its hard for someone getting a fancied ride for a big stable and it was a very cool ride. I'm very pleased to give him his first winner on the track and he's a guy who is worth his 7lbs claim and is a good strong rider. He had ridden point to point winners and can go on from there. He is a good lad and does a lot of schooling and work riding.
"He is a staying jumper in the making and, as long as there is juice in the ground, will go hurdling once Punchestown is over. Ultimately he'll win races over fences."
Mullins was on the mark earlier on the card with Causey Arch and Koshari
(TW & AM)
