Ballyburn tops the market for next year’s Grade 1 Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival after a seamless transition to chasing at Punchestown this afternoon.
Unbeaten in bumpers, Willie Mullins' rising star suffered defeat to Firefox on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last season, but that would prove his sole blot on the copybook as he went on to claim a scintillating Grade 1 hat-trick with striking victories at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown.
The Ronnie Bartlett-owned Irish point-to-point winner was sent straight to the head of affairs with Paul Townend seemingly looking to keep things uncomplicated on his first outing over fences.
Dee Capo and Ocastle Des Mottes both attempted to keep tabs on the leader, but neither were able to get close enough to land a blow on the 2/11 market leader, who coasted home to score by a widening thirteen lengths. Dee Capo made a mistake at the last, allowing Ocastle Des Mottes to claim the runner-up spot.
"I was very happy with him," said Townend on Racing TV. "He was having a look and was measured. He took his blow and galloped on in the straight. He's matured this season."
Paddy Power quickly cut the winner to 2/1 (from 5/2) for the Arkle, with the same firm also trimming him to 4/1 (from 5s) for the 3m Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. bet365 and BoyleSports took a stronger view and made him their 6/4 favourite for the Arkle.
Stellar Story stays on strongly to land Florida Pearl
With all three runners going to post in the Grade 2 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Giginstown House Stud, there was no doubt the prize would return to the County Meath-based handler.
Victory didn't always look likely for last season's Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story, who was the choice of Jack Kennedy, but he dug deep when required and event prevailed by a short-head over the Sam Ewing-ridden Search For Glory, with a mistake at the last perhaps costing the latter. Rainbow Trail came home in third under jockey Jody McGarvey.
Paddy Power made the winner a 16/1 shot (from 20s) for the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham in March.
