It’s For Me and Loughglynn make winning starts over hurdles at Punchestown

Elsewhere on the card, a fine ride by James Hannon gained Baldur’s Gate his stripes in the Ladbrokes “We Play Together” Handicap Chase

PULLING CLEAR: It's For Me wins the Ladbrokes Play '1-2-Free' On Football Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown in the hands of Paul Townend. Picture: Healy Racing

Some of the brighter lights of the winter National Hunt season continue to trickle from Willie Mullins’ Closutton yard and on Thursday’s card in Punchestown, two young horses of great potential, both of which contested the Champion Bumper at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, made winning starts over timber.

It’s For Me contested the Ladbrokes Play ‘1-2-Free’ On Football Maiden Hurdle and, ridden by Paul Townend and carrying the colours of Isaac Souede and Simon Munir, he duly justified heavy market support.