Leader D'allier easily justifies short odds in Punchestown opener The Willie Mullins trained Leader D'allier readily justified short priced favouritism under Paul Townend when making all to win the opening Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown. A five-time winner in his native France, the Michael Hilary Burke owned five-year-old finished runner-up on his Irish/hurdling debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. Sent off 1/4f to go one better this afternoon, the gelding was sent straight into the lead from the off. Tracked by main market rival Straight John throughout, Leader D'allier asserted between the final two flights, coming clear from the back of the last to win by nine-lengths. Paul Townend said: “He had good bumper form in France and we were a bit disappointed with him in Leopardstown, but he seems to have stepped forward from that run. “A lot of ours are stepping forward from Christmas. I liked the way he settled, and he took a good while to pull up. He jumped brilliant the whole way and with a run under his belt we were able to use that a bit more today.” Paddy Power went 20/1 (from 40/1) Leader D'allier for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
