Getabird and Paul Townend in full flight© Photo Healy Racing
Getabird made it four wins in-a-row, as he got off the mark on his debut over flights in the Corinthian Restaurant On Sale Now Maiden Hurdle.
A winner of a point-to-point for Colin Bowe, the son of Getaway then changed hands for E200,000.
Successful in two bumpers last season, the Rich Ricci owned gelding went off a 2/5 chance today with Paul Townend in the saddle.
Settled behind the leaders, he took closer order from three out. He improved to lead entering the straight, and kept on well from there to score comfortably by seven lengths. Impact Factor (13/2) finished second under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington, while Beyond The Law (12/1) was four and a quarter lengths back in third for JJ Slevin and Mouse Morris
Willie Mullins said afterwards: "That was a good performance. He jumped like a chaser rather than a hurdler, and to do that on that ground takes a fair bit of ability.
"I thought at the third last that he'd blown up and then he came back on the bridle again.
"I think I saw today what we saw as a bumper horse. Hopefully he stays right now for the season, and he'll be a nice staying novice hurdler. He'll come on hugely from that."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards fined Matthew J. Smith, trainer, E350 for lodging a passport in respect of Niebieski (FR), in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
