Punchestown Festival:Fiveforthree proved three miles was well within his compass when running out a ready winner of the Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown. Willie Mullins's inmate was sent off the 5-4 market leader to go one place better than his second in the Aintree Hurdle.
On his first try at the trip he was held up by Ruby Walsh and the seven-year-old cruised up to join Pettifour soon after turning for home, quickening away from the final flight to score by seven lengths.
Walsh always appeared confident his mount would pick up the leaders, despite having been sat so far off the early pace set by Fair Along.
Fiveforthree then effortlessly moved through the gears, and was simply cantering all over his rivals as they turned for home.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Pettifour (20-1) ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot but was ultimately outclassed by Mullins’ gallant grey.
Whatuthink (5-1) was a long way back in third in what was effectively a procession by Fiveforthree.
“He did it fantastically, and we just said we would sit and wait as there was going to be plenty of pace," Mullins said. “He had enough gears, when push came to shove.”
Although the impressive stayer was roundly cut in the betting for next year’s World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Mullins revealed Fiveforthree is likely to embark upon a new career over fences.
“I’m going to go chasing with him, I think,” added the County Carlow handler.
Fiveforthree is next likely to be seen in action across the Channel at Auteuil.
“The horse has done what I thought he would do," Mullins added. “He got slightly wound-up before the race, but was relaxed enough during it.
“He will go chasing next year as I don’t see any point in staying over hurdles.
“That was only his fifth run over hurdles, though, and he could be anything.
“He had niggling problems earlier in the season which kept him off the track, but they could have been for the better as they gave him time to grow and mature.
“He will probably have one more run this season, in the French Champion Hurdle in June, as he hasn’t had a tough season.”
Mullins added to his Punchestown tally when Barker emerged a wide-margin winner of the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Cup Novice Chase.
The eight-year-old was only beaten a short head by Aran Concerto in the Powers Gold Cup last time, and was sent off at 11-2 to go one place better.
Davy Casey settled his mount just off the early pace set by Tatenen, but stretched away before the turn for home.
Last month’s Arkle Trophy winner Forpadydeplasterer (15-8 favourite) went in pursuit up the home straight, but lost all chance with a bad mistake at the second-last.
That enabled Barker to come home 15 lengths clear in the Grade One contest.
Mullins said of the 11-2 shot: “I was worried coming here that two miles was going to be too sharp.
“After Fairyhouse, I had been considering stepping him up to three miles, rather than dropping back in trip.
“His jumping is spectacular and his jumping took him into the lead.
“He is an improving horse and the way he jumps, anything is possible.
“I wasn’t thinking about the Queen Mother Champion Chase for next season, but after that I will have to consider it.”
William Hill introduced Barker into their Queen Mother betting at 14-1.
Barry Geraghty felt the testing conditions did not play to runner-up Forpadydeplasterer’s strengths.
“He was never really going as well as he would normally as the ground was far too soft for him,” said the jockey.
“He was lucky to get good ground at Cheltenham — that was the only day he’s got it.”