Secant stars at Gowran

Secant Star gained compensation for an unlucky defeat over Christmas with an impressive display in the Ballyhane Stud Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park.

The French import was well clear when falling at the final obstacle on his first start on Irish soil at Leopardstown and was sent off the 2-5 favourite to bounce back.

Sent straight to the head of affairs by Ruby Walsh, the result was scarcely in doubt as he had all of his rivals in trouble turning for home and eased clear to score by seven lengths from Capellanus.

William Hill cut the Willie Mullins inmate to 12-1 from 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, while Victor Chandler were even more impressed and go 8-1 from 16-1.

Mullins said: "He's fairly decent and we'll up him in grade now.

“I’ll look for another nice graded hurdle for him before too long.

“Leopardstown (February 7) might just come too soon, although he could run there.

“He looked to do that with ease and is one to look forward to. He’s a fine big horse and is a chaser really.”