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Porcupine Bank rising up the ranks

 Porcupine Bank (right) Porcupine Bank (right)
© Healy Racing Photos

Willie Mullins had two of the five runners in Ballinrobe's KPMG Hurdle, but both were soundly beaten as victory went to the Gordon Elliott-trained Porcupine Bank (5/1).

As the Mullins pair, including 11/8 favourite Kai Lung dropped away after two out, Munsif and the winner moved on and Sam Ewing's mount hit the front after rounding the home turn to score by two and a-quarter lengths. 

Having his third start here, the Order Of St George-sired winner was following up on a maiden win at Punchestown where he turned over a 2/9 Mullins-trained favourite.

"It wasn't a bad horse he beat the last day, and today he's beaten a few horses with a lot more experience," said Ewing.

"You'd have to love the way he got to them all on the bridle. He was a bit green to go by the leader, but was never going to be caught after that.

"Two miles is perfect for him at the moment, but he settles well and will have no problem going further in time."

1st
5/1
Tote €6.00 €1.90
2nd
2.25L
7/4
€1.60
3rd
18L
11/8Fav
About Mark Nunan
Mark has followed racing since he was a teenager and worked for many years as a broadcaster with the Irish version of Racecall. He joined the Press Association in 2019 and is also a contributor to the Racing Post. A native of Kildare, he now lives in Sligo.