Ballyburn saw his position at the head of the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle ante-post market cemented after a bloodless display in the Pigsback.com Maiden Hurdle at Leopardstown.
An impressive winner of both his bumpers at Punchestown in the spring, Willie Mullins' charge was sent off the 10/11 favourite to make a winning hurdling debut at Fairyhouse earlier this month. However, he found the Gordon Elliott-trained Firefox too strong on that occasion after making a mistake at the second-last.
There were no such issues for the Mullins-trained son of Flemensfirth this afternoon though as he cruised clear for an effortless success. Paul Townend manoeuvred the 2/9 market leader between rivals approaching the final flight, which is usually two from home with the last being omitted this afternoon and with an impressive turn of foot, Ballyburn quickly put distance between himself and the field once entering the Leopardstown straight.
The winning margin was eventually 25 lengths with Cleatus Poolaw (6/1) getting the better of Apple's Of Bresil (4/1) for the second spot.
"He did what we were hoping he might do in Fairyhouse," Mullins said.
"We were happy – he jumped well and galloped to the line, so he is improving. He has improved hugely from Fairyhouse, where he was probably beaten in a sprint.
"We are hoping there is plenty more improvement to come as well, we think there is anyway.
"He settled well enough – that's what I was worried about, he would get too keen. He was more in his comfort zone today over two and a half miles.
"I'm not thinking of anything (future plans) – I'm just delighted we got today out of the way. He did it impressively. You'd be thinking he is more of a two-and-a-half-mile horse.
"Paul told me he appears keen, but it is just the way he carries his head low. He said every time he gave him a little feel on the reins, he came back underneath him. I'm very happy that the horse is learning all the time."
Paddy Power cut the winner from 7/1 (favourite) to 4/1 favourite for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.
