WILLIE Mullins completed a double at Thurles when Brahma Bull justified prohibitive odds in the Thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.

Sent off the 2/9 favourite on the back of three bumper successes, the near three-mile trip proved ideal as he travelled with zest behind leader Eviscerating.

When Paul Townend asked him to take control at the second last, he was a little untidy over the flight but bounded clear to score by 11 lengths.

Mullins' son Patrick said: "Everything went right. He gave a few of the hurdles a lot of air, but we've needed to teach him to settle.

"He's such a big horse we've had to wait a couple of years with him, but he's certainly paying it back now. He could be one for the four-mile chase next season."

Townend added: "He'll be better in a more competitive race with a stronger gallop, but this was a nice race to start him off and it was nice to see him do it.

"He was doing everything so easily, he was able to have a look round after going in front. A fence will be his job in the long term."

COASTED CLEAR

Brian Hayes was on board for Mullins' first winner on the card as True Self made it three wins on the bounce in the Templemore Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Flamingo's Court was faster than the 2/5 favourite through the air at many of the hurdles, but Brian Hayes always appeared to have more horse under him and so it proved, as she coasted clear after the last to win by six and a half lengths.

Patrick Mullins said: "Her jumping will improve and it's good to know she can handle soft ground as well. She has plenty of gears and will go back on the flat eventually but we'll keep going jumping over the winter.

"It's great for Brian and Neville Eager is his sponsor. Brian was involved with selling her to Neville so that's why he rode her today.

"Brian did it very well and deserves all the opportunities he gets. He is in riding out once a week for us and it's his first winner for us. He's also my landlord so I might get a week's rent from this!

"She didn't cost a huge amount but is now three from three."

Hayes said, "I got the ride because she's owned by my sponsor Neville Eager who owns Ard Glen Construction. He's now given me winners for Shark Hanlon, Sandra Hughes and Willie Mullins.

"I took a lead for as long as I could. She is still green and ran around a bit going to the last."

READ THE FULL THURLES REPORT IN THIS WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD