Quantum Realm negotiates the final obstacle© Photo Healy Racing
Quantum Realm was all the rage for the extended two and a half mile maiden hurdle in Punchestown, with Eric Bloodaxe and Chinx Of Light ruled out, and he made all under Davy Russell.
The 8/11 favourite attempted to stretch his pursuers on the run to the final flight and the ploy worked as he moved clear.
He kept on to post a five and a half length success. Benny The Duke halved in price from 11/1 to 11/2, having been as big as 66/1 in the morning, and gave his backers a place return in second. He was six lengths clear of third-placed Magnetic Zero (14/1).
Gordon Elliott said: “It was a grand opportunity for him. He probably wasn't really a bumper horse with the way he jumps but he has his job done now.
“We'll try and find a little novice hurdle somewhere for him now and see what happens.”
He won a point-to-point at Dromahane in October last year and was second in a Downpatrick bumper in August. He was last seen taking seventh in a Listowel bumper in September.
On Galvin, who contest the Grade 3 chase on Punchestown's card tomorrow on his first start since winning the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Elliott said: “He's in good form. Obviously he's giving a good bit of weight away and it's a big ask but he's in good form and it's a lovely starting point.
“He's taking on a few race fit rivals as well but we have to start somewhere.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
