Day rises to the occasion in Leopardstown
Top trainer Willie Mullins struck first on Irish Champion Hurdle day at Leopardstown by saddling Day Of A Lifetime to lift the opening the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
Day Of A Lifetime had disappointed in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last March but made no mistake on his debut over jumps.
Sent off the 100-30 favourite in a field of 21, the six-year-old tracked the leaders under a confident ride from Paul Townend as Couleur De La Loi set the pace.
Other fancied runners Buck Barrow and Gift Of Dgab were also close up but nothing else got into contention.
Gift Of Dgab led before the last but it did not last long as Townend made his move on Day Of A Lifetime to take it up on the run-in and win cosily by two and a half lengths, with Buck Barrow third.
Quotes ranged from 14-1 to 20s about Day Of A Lifetime winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
