WILLIE Mullins has really put his foot on the accelerator since the turn of the year and brought his tally to 29 winners in 2026, as both Leader d’Allier and Blue Velvet scored at odds-on in wet and windy conditions under champion Paul Townend.

Leader d’Allier, a multiple bumper winner in France and runner-up to Ballyfad on his hurdle debut at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, readily justified prohibitive odds in the opening Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle. The Michael Burke-owned gelding made all and asserted early in the straight to beat Straight Down by an easy nine lengths.

“He had good bumper form in France and we were a bit disappointed with him in Leopardstown, but like a lot of ours, he seems to have stepped forward from that run,” said Townend of the 1/4 shot.

“I liked the way he settled, and he took a good while to pull up. He jumped brilliant the whole way and, with a run under his belt, we were able to use that a bit more today.”

Tough and hardy

Blue Velvet (8/11) also went one better than her hurdle debut last month in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Mares Maiden Hurdle.

The daughter of Blue Bresil led before the final flight and was driven out to beat fellow Gigginstown-owned Torpille Dagrostis by a length and three-quarters.

Townend said: “She’s tough and hardy and stays well. She jumped well and has improved from the last day. She handles that (heavy) ground.”

DOCTOR Du Mesnil was expected to complete a treble for the Mullins/Townend alliance in the Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle, but the 2/5 shot was readily outpointed by The Passing Wife, who travelled well under Keith Donoghue to lead at the last and soon stretched clear for an impressive nine lengths victory.

The Cant Say No Syndicate were out in force to enjoy the success and trainer Gavin Cromwell said of the 2/1 winner: “Maybe we over-faced him the last day going to the Grade 1, but we are back on track there.

“It’s nice to win a maiden with him and he’s qualified for the handicaps in Cheltenham. We’ll freshen him up and probably go for either the Martin Pipe or the Coral Cup as he’d want a trip.”

Support justified

Sopelana could also be part of the Irish raiding party at Cheltenham after adding to a win on similarly heavy ground conditions here in November, when taking the two-mile Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle.

The 8/1 chance, available at double those odds in the morning, was ridden to assert before the last by Kevin Healy and kept on well on the run-in to beat Bibe Mus by two and a quarter lengths.

“She loves the heavy ground and it’s great to get another win out of her,” said trainer Cian Collins. “She did it very well and Kevin is great value for the 7lb.

“It’s great for the lads (Tallys Bar Syndicate, which includes Hector O hEochagain) and she might sneak into the Fred Winter now. If the ground came up soft at Cheltenham, you wouldn’t know what might happen

GORDON Elliott and Jack Kennedy, runner-up earlier with both Straight John and Torpille Dagrostis, got on the scoresheet with Spinningayarn in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Rated Novice Hurdle.

The Robcour-owned 2/1 chance made most of the running and got well on top on the run-in to beat Parnell Street by six and a half lengths.

“He looks to be going in the right direction,” said Kennedy, who is two behind Darragh O’Keeffe (80-78) in the jump jockeys’ championship.

“It was fairly straight forward today - he jumped and has done it well. He’ll be suited by going further and also getting a lead would probably help him as well. He handled the ground without loving it, but he’s a good honest horse and went through it.”

In for the long haul

Kobalt St Georges added to two wins over fences when completing a hat-trick this season in the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle.

The 11/8 favourite leapt into the lead at the final flight and kept on well to beat Ellies Rock by a comfortable two and a half lengths under Philip Enright.

“We were disappointed for a while over hurdles, but fences seem to have changed him and he’s after getting to like the job,” said Robert Tyner, who trains the winner for Brendan Keogh.

“I was a bit concerned about the ground for this horse, but Phillip (Enright) said he handled it very well. I’d imagine he’ll probably go back over fences.”

In for the long haul

Nettuno Italia got off the mark in the finale, the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Hurdle, in the colours of owner/breeder John Place.

Ross O’Sullivan’s 4/1 shot was shaken up to lead approaching the last and soon took control under Danny Gilligan, going on to win by an easy seven and a half lengths.

“A deserved win, as he’s been knocking on the door for a while. He loved the ground and will jump a fence as well,” said the trainer.