WILLIE Mullins dominated proceedings at Fairyhouse on Wednesday as Western Diego proved the highlight of a fantastic five-timer for the champion trainer. Mullins sent out four in the rescheduled Tote Dan and Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase with 9/2 shot Western Diego charging home late to land the spoils in the €100,000 Grade 3 contest.

Brian Hayes held his mount up early in the two-mile-and-one-furlong contest before delivering him with a strong surge to lead on the run-in and beat stablemate More Coko by three and three-parts of a length.

“It was a fantastic ride by Brian,” Patrick Mullins said following the nine-year-old’s win for the Temple Bloodstock Western Diego Syndicate.

“He’s a very tricky horse to ride, but Brian knows him well. He just bided his time and came with one run, that was the difference.

“You need experience in those two-mile handicap chases and he’s built that up. I’d imagine his route probably maps itself, all those good handicap chases. We could look at the Grand Annual with him.

“He’s another one of Aubrey McMahon’s buys, he bought him at the Clipper Logistics dispersal. He took a chance on him when a lot of people wouldn’t have. He deserves huge credit as well.”

Triumph type

There were Triumph Hurdle clues in the opener as Daniela Mele’s Auteuil hurdle winner Proactif (15/8) made a winning start for Mullins in the four-year-old hurdle.

The Masked Marvel gelding made most of the running under Mark Walsh and stayed on strongly to assert on the run-in for a two-and-three-quarter length win over stablemate Macho Man (13/8f). He was subsequently made 7/1 second favourite for the Triumph Hurdle.

Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J.P. McManus, said: “He’s a grand big horse. Mark said he jumped well, but was still a little bit green sometimes in front.

“He stays and jumps, he looks the ideal type for the Triumph Hurdle. Touch wood he stays in one piece.

“I thought they were going to get to him going to the last, but in fairness he got to the line well.”

LAST year’s Cheltenham bumper winner Bambino Fever got off the mark over timber with the minimum of fuss in the Tote Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The 1/10 favourite made all under Paul Townend and skipped clear before the last for an easy 12-length success over Cornelienne.

The O’Connell Morgan Syndicate-owned chesnut was making amends after a shock defeat on her hurdling debut at Naas last month.

Townend commented: “I would have liked a lead as she wasn’t doing a lot in front, but she was jumping clean. She had to get down and race over the last two. I didn’t get anywhere near the bottom of her, but she learned how to jump fast and she did it well.

“We would have been disappointed if she didn’t do what she has done. I can’t tell you from that the ability she has, but I liked what she did.”

Improving chaser

Mullins also saddled an odds-on shot in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, but Port Joulain upset his better-fancied stablemate.

Townend made all on the Susannah Ricci-owned bay, who proved too strong for 4/5 favourite Karoline Banbou in the closing stages as he stayed on stoutly to record a length-and-a-quarter success.

The winner was improving significantly from his first outing over fences last month and Townend said: “He jumped brilliant. Obviously, it was a big drop back in trip, but he can go back out in trip again, it was just the race presented itself.

“His jumping allowed him to dictate in front. Two good jumps down the straight probably won it for him. He was on top at the line and will go further in future.”

Successful stable bow

The Mullins haul was completed in the concluding bumper when The Wager got up late on to land the spoils under Patrick Mullins in the colours of Luke McMahon.

The 11/10 favourite came under pressure in the straight as Detroit Maverick kicked for home, but grabbed his rival late on to secure a three-parts-of-a-length victory. The Califet gelding was making his first start for the yard, having been runner-up in a Punchestown bumper for Pat Doyle last February.

“I think I’m blowing harder than he is!” the winning rider said. “I didn’t want to hit the front too soon, because when he ran for Pat (Doyle) he hit the front and idled. When he hit the front today, he pricked his ears. I think there is plenty there and he’ll improve with racing. He’s still very babyish.

“It’s great to get a winner in these colours, some of my favourite winners were in these. Luke (McMahon) is in sunnier climes, but hopefully he’s watching on.”

CHARLES and Philip Byrnes’ winning form continued as From The Ashes gave the Ballingarry duo another winner in the Tote Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

The 7/2 shot was produced to lead over the last and kept on well on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter from front-runner Dippedinmoonlight.

“He has been consistent in fairness to him,” said Byrnes. “His last three or four runs, he’s been knocking on the door and it was good to get it.

“He needs three miles, obviously. He was a small bit leery, he thought about it for a few strides. I suppose he’ll mix it between hurdles and fences, he’s a good fun horse.”

Home-bred winner

Ross O’Sullivan is also hoping there will be plenty of fun to be had with Nelson County, after his success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase.

The Mount Nelson gelding went to post 11/4 favourite in the two-mile-five contest and was given a patient ride by Danny Gilligan. He came to lead after the second last and soon put the race to bed as he posted a 14-length success over Choccabloc.

“That was lovely. He came forward from his run in Cork,” said O’Sullivan. “He’s a nice horse; he’s probably designed to be a three-mile staying chaser. He wouldn’t be a flashy horse at home, but the further you go the better he gets.

“Danny gave him a lovely ride. I’m delighted for Billy (Cooper), he’s a home-bred and has a very good pedigree. He could be exciting for the spring.”