Kiss Will survives late scare on debut at Fairyhouse

Kiss Will survived a final-flight scare to make an impressive debut for Willie Mullins at Fairyhouse.

Bought for €280,000 after finishing second in a French bumper in September 2023, the five-year-old was the 4-11 favourite to go one better on his Irish introduction in the Fairyhouse, Racecourse Of The Year 2024 Maiden Hurdle.

Under a positive ride from Paul Townend, Kiss Will scooted clear of Hello Jack from the home turn and while odds-on backers will have had their hearts in their mouths when he fluffed his lines at the last, it did not halt his momentum as he powered on to register 13-length victory.

On the mistake at the last, Townend said: "He'll have to learn how to do that as well if he’s going to be a good horse, he’s going to have to jump at speed. He found a leg, which was good.

"It was a match from the time we jumped off and I had the better of that turning in. He lengthened well up the straight and handled the nicer ground well."

Bookmakers shortened Kiss Will to a general 16-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, and Townend added: "He showed a little bit more of a turn of foot than I thought, but other people have different opinions of him at home.

"He’ll be an exciting horse and have a future."

Mullins and Townend doubled up in the Jump Into January Maiden Hurdle with last season’s Champion Bumper fifth Fishery Lane.

The Bryan Drew-owned six-year-old could finish only third on his hurdling bow, but raised his game with a four-and-a-half-length verdict as the 10-11 favourite.

Townend said: "When he ran the last day I wasn’t very good on him and they all came forward, the ones that were running at that time.

"He’s a strong stayer, I’d say – that would be my opinion of him.

"He got experience jumping