Saturday saw Grade 1 winning hurdler Minella Cocooner get off the mark over fences in a Beginners Chase at Navan.

The Killeen Glebe graduate placed on his first two starts over fences and was sent off favourite as he returned to three miles at the weekend. Ridden prominently by Paul Townend, Willie Mullins’ charge was travelling well at the second last and was pushed along at the final fence. Keeping on well on the run-in, he led by two lengths and three quarters on the line, with another 16 lengths back to the third.

Speaking after the race, assistant trainer Patrick Mullins said, “Minella Cocooner jumped spectacular there. Paul was delighted with him.”

The win continued Minella Cocooner’s impressive record, having won or placed on all his career starts. He became Killeen Glebe’s first Grade 1 winning graduate when taking the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown and went on to finish second in Grade 1’s at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals.

Minella Cocooner was bought by Killeen Glebe as a foal with Kevin Ross, and was later reoffered through Limekiln Stud at the Goffs Land Rover Sale. He was purchased by John Nallen, for whom he finished second in a four-year-old maiden, before selling to current owner David Bobbett.