Ethical Diamond

Ethical Diamond made all the running to win the two-mile maiden hurdle at Punchestown last Monday. He did jump a little bit to his left at a few of his hurdles, and it looked like he had a race on his hands when Kainsbourg moved up on his outside on the run around the home turn, apparently travelling as least as well. But Paul Townend was holding onto plenty on the leader and, when his rider asked him for his effort, Ethical Diamond lengthened away nicely, jumped the final flight well and stretched away to win by 10 lengths.

It was a nice performance by Willie Mullins' horse, his first win over hurdles. He is a talented performer on the flat, he was sent off as a warm favourite for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer racing off a mark of 94, and he ran in the top juvenile hurdles last season, the Spring Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle. The handicapper raised him by 6lb for this win to a mark of 137, but that is a mark that could still under-rate his ability, if connections decide to go down the handicap hurdle route. He is only five and this was just his fifth run over hurdles, so he has plenty of scope for progression. He should be better back on better ground, and he could improve again for the return to a left-handed track. There could be a big handicap hurdle in him at one of the spring festivals.

Punchestown, 3^rd February 2025