Yorkhill clears the last in Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Yorkhill further enhanced his reputation with an impressive display in the two and a half mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown.
He hoovered up a pair of bumpers in Gowran Park and at this track in March and April and was fully expected to win this maiden as he went off the 8/15 favourite for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.
He raced keenly but soon tracked front-running Road To Respect Walsh had plenty of horse under him as he eased his mount into the lead on the run to the last. The five-year-old drew clear of Road To Respect jumping the last and was merely shaken up on the run-in to come home by eight and a half lengths.
He jinked left jumping the last but was well in command at the time.
Road To Respect (11/4) had 10 lengths in hand of third-placed 40/1 shot Mall Dini
Ruby Walsh said: "He did it nicely. He was a bit keen early on, it took a while to get him to settle. When he did settle he raced nicely. Mind you he didn't settle I suppose until we were going to the third last.
"The further we went the better he jumped. He had a little kink at the last. I don't know what that was about. He's a horse we thought a fair bit of as a bumper horse last year. He's a horse we like and he's gone and done it. He's quite raw so I imagine he will improve a good bit for the experience."
Patrick Mullins added: "He'll improve a lot from that experience and has a huge engine. He was quite keen and if he settles better can go out in trip.
"We'll find something for him around Christmas and he has the ability to go for a Grade One."
Paddy Power cut Yorkhill from 12/1 to 7/1 favourite for the Neptune Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. They also cut him to 10/1 joint favourite from 12s for the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle.
Boylesports shortened him from 14/1 to 12/1 for the Albert Bartlett and kept him unchanged at 14/1 for the Neptune. Meanwhile, Ladbrokes have him at 8/1 for both races.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
