Nessun Dorma and Paul Townend on the way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
We'd only seen the four-year-old, Nessun Dorma (well backed 2/1 joint favourite), once before. Judging by his performance on debut for the Willie Mullins yard in the Tullamore Maiden Hurdle his next outing is something to look forward to.
A son of Canford Cliffs that ran in a Leopardstown seven furlong maiden 323 days back for Harry Kelly, Kilbeggan was chosen as the venue for the gelding's introduction to the jumping game.
It all went pretty smoothly for Paul Townend's mount and he ultimately comfortably defeated Papal Motel by three and three parts of a length.
"He did it well and he'll improve from it experience wise. He had a little look in front but it was only his second run ever," said Townend.
"He jumped brilliant, like a handicapper, and that was a big help around there first time out.
"He nipped around there lovely and I was always going well. They should get a bit of sport out of him."
The Stewards fined Denis Gerard Hogan, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of I'm Serious 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.
(GC & EM)
