TONY Mullins is eyeing some nice prizes with Paul’s Dream, after she maintained an upward curve with a cosy victory at Galway on Monday.
The Mahler mare went to post a 9/2 shot in the featured Deacy Gilligan’s Hurdle at Ballybrit and was delivered with a well-timed challenge by Alan O’Sullivan. After hitting the front before the last flight, she skipped clear to beat Grann’s Boy by six lengths.
“She’s been a revelation and that’s great, because the owners (Shoot A Hoop Syndicate) are from Athlone and they are delighted to get a winner here,” said Mullins.
“I was very worried. My confidence dropped a lot with the rain in the last 15 minutes. I’ve had that family for years and they don’t really go on that ground.”
On future plans, Mullins added: “We might look at a handicap in Listowel for her. She fell at Cheltenham in October last year and, if the ground remained good, she could go back there.”
Magic double
O’Sullivan was completing an early double on the card, as he had also landed the opener on John Nallen’s Firebrand. The 10/3 shot made all in the Kenny Developments Maiden Hurdle, kicking clear before the second last for a four-and-a-quarter length win over En Or.
“Magic blinkers, maybe I’ll put a pair on myself!” quipped Nallen afterwards.
“He deserved that, he was running honest the whole time, but just not getting home. They made a difference to him. There is a novice chase in Sligo next week or he could go to Listowel for a flat race.”
THERE were a few cosy winners on the card, but the most impressive was probably Brickfield Belle in the concluding Kenny Developments-sponsored mares’ bumper.
John Gleeson gave the Henry de Bromhead-trained mare a confident ride as the even-money favourite led over two furlongs from home for a comprehensive 15-length success.
Stable representative Robbie Power said: “She did it well. She travelled super through the race, John said he got a nice feel off her, and she galloped all the way to the line.
“She probably doesn’t want extremes, but John said she handled an ease in the ground well. Henry will have a chat with Paddy (Hale, owner) and decide what to do next.”
Wide margin
The WTW Willis Handicap Hurdle was divided to form the eight-race card and Moonshine Girl opened her account in fine style in the first heat. Paul Gilligan’s charge was held up early by Jody Townend and led turning in to post an easy 12-length win at odds of 9/1.
“It’s brilliant for her to break her maiden here, she won well,” said Gilligan. “The fact that she’s owned by Natalie, my wife, makes it ever better.”
“I went to Down Royal with her last Friday week, and I think the journey up was a problem. The fact that today was here, close and handy, I said I’d bring her here.”
Quirky sort
In the second division, Grace Faraday (18/1) also proved a cosy winner under James Smith. The Anthony McCann-trained mare led before the second last and soon asserted to post a four-and-a-half length win over Midleton Rare.“James gave her a great ride,” said McCann. “She made things very hard for him; she was hanging a bit. She’s a quirky Flemensfirth mare. She’ll get another couple of runs, but she’ll be soon going to the breeding shed.
“I’m delighted for the syndicate, for John and Marian Heffernan (of the Drumlin Dream Syndicate). They stuck with us.”
THE Willie Mullins-trained Ocastle Des Mottes (7/4) put his experience to use when making all to claim the Watch Every Irish Race Live On Racing TV Beginners Chase over two miles.
Paul Townend’s mount asserted after the last to post a cosy two-and-three-quarter length win over Mongibello, in a 1-2 for owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.
“It’s been a while coming, I suppose,” said Townend. “His run here at the festival was obviously good, behind Vicar Street. He didn’t mind coming back in trip with the ground on the easy side.
“Winning will do him the world of good and he’s going to be a nice fun horse. He’s just taken a bit of figuring out.”
Game winner
In the other chase on the card, the Cian Collins-trained Brandt also did it from the front, but had to battle at the finish.
Carl Millar’s mount was headed early in the straight by Justatan, but rallied to lead again in the closing stages and post a neck success, at odds of 25/1.
“That was lovely, it was a great ride by Carl,” said Collins. “Ever since we got the horse, we always dropped him out last, but we said we’d change tactics today and make the running.
“Carl is very good from the front and he gave him a brilliant ride. He wants further and I was happy enough that he would stay going. I think he was headed, but he fought back and he was very game.”
Well-named
Inthenickoftime came with a late charge to land the spoils in the two-mile Anglo Printers Handicap Hurdle.
Simon Torrens got a good tune from Enda Bolger’s charge up the straight, as the 9/2 shot got on top in the closing stages to beat Mart Lane in a driving finish.
“The hill made a big difference to him, Simon said he was flat out going down to the second last,” said Bolger of the JP McManus-owned gelding.
“That’s his second win here. He’s rated 117 over fences, so there might be another hurdle in him.”