Effect makes Immediate impact over hurdles Immediate Effect (7/2 from 11/2 before the off, and as big as 10s this morning) took Punchestown's Celebrate The New Year With Tote 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle for Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan. Bred by Kirsten Rausing and twice a winner on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott, the Study Of Man gelding was bought for 45,000 gns in October. Here, on hurdling and stable debut, the Lyreen Syndicate-owned winner travelled well behind the leaders and moved second on the approach to the last where he ran around and looked fairly green. He headed longtime leader Minella Boss on the run-in to post a three-length verdict. Jack Kennedy was on the better fancied, and more experienced, Elliott runner in the shape of Wackestone but that one faded into sixth, while Willie Mullins' 7/4 favourite Mino Des Mottes was fourth. Trainer Gordon Elliott said “He showed good signs at home and there is plenty of improvement in him. He’s a nice horse and was rated nearly 90 on the Flat. "He jumped well and travelled well through the race. We’ll find a winners' race for him and see how we go." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
