MIN enjoyed a facile success on his first run since last Christmas when justifying prohibitive odds of 1/9 at Gowran Park.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old made all the running in the hands of Paul Townend and was never out of second gear in the three-runner Ladbrokes Bet 10 & Get 40 On The Grid Chase.

The step up to two and a half miles was no problem for Min as he cantered 36 lengths ahead of Flaxen Flare in second.

Carter Mckay made a successful start to his jumping career in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

A promising bumper performer last term before coming up short in the championship events at Cheltenham and Punchestown, the Willie Mullins-trained grey was sent off the 10/11 favourite on his return.

He moved up to challenge Mortal for the lead two out and there was still little to separate the pair when Mortal crashed out at the last, leaving Carter Mckay to come home 15 lengths to the good over Wings Like Arion.

Jockey Paul Townend, who also landed the novice hurdle on the Mullins-trained Sharjah, said: "He had experience from point-to-points but was very professional and handled the ground very well, as we hoped he would.

"I travelled the whole way down to the last and I think I was getting the better of Davy's (Russell) horse at the last. I had the horse under me to keep going forward and I was going better than him.

"He'll come on plenty from that run and it was nice to get it out of the way."

Sharjah made it two from two over timber with a battling victory in the Join Gowran Park Racing Club Novice Hurdle.

Successful at this venue on his first start for Willie Mullins in September, the French import tracked leaders Roaring Bull and Shady Operator until a mistake three out cost him a length or so.

Paul Townend soon got him back in contention and the trio jumped the last as one, with Roaring Bull making a mistake on landing, and 13/8 favourite Sharjah found plenty to stride four lengths clear of Shady Operator.

Mullins and Townend also took the maiden hurdle courtesy of Carter Mckay, and the champion trainer said: "I thought Paul was very good technically and tactically on both horses, and it was a good performance from him (Sharjah).

"Obviously nobody wanted to make the running, but Paul certainly didn't want to and thought he could use his speed to beat them.

"It worked out well and he got the jump at the last when he needed it. He'll have no trouble going further and we'll take those novice races as they come and see where he fits in."

Townend said: "There wasn't anyone to go at the start but once we got going, I was happy to take a lead. He has quickened up smartly and he was good and brave at the last.

"It's very heavy - I snuck over last night and had a walk around it! The race was probably run to suit me more than them (Shady Operator and Roaring Bull). It was a fair performance to beat them."

ONE-TWO

Dounikos led home better-fancied stable companion Monbeg Notorious to give Gordon Elliott a one-two in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.

Odds-on favourite Tin Solider took them along until he was headed by Monbeg Notorious before four out, although he was back upsides at the second-last when taking a crashing fall.

Dounikos (28/1) had also forced his way into contention at that point and pulled out plenty for Keith Donoghue to see off Monbeg Notorious by three and a quarter lengths.

Donoghue said: "I was tracking him (Tin Soldier) away coming into the straight and I had loads of horse. I thought he would have needed the run but I'd say he just improved for a fence. He's a real big typical Gigginstown horse, a real chaser.

"He jumped brilliantly. When Davy (Russell) got stood down (after the second race) I rang Gordon to see if I could switch to Monbeg Notorious and he said 'no, stay on him'. Good job I didn't!

"I got a good spin around, I just followed the two fancied ones and he did it well. I'd say there is more to come from him."

Assistant trainer Davy Condon said: "He enjoyed being fresh and jumped super. He'll probably make a better chaser than hurdler and Keith was delighted with the way he jumped and he never put a foot wrong. He'll be a good horse for the winter.

"Monbeg Notorious ran alright and Sean (Flanagan) said he took a blow."

SURPRISE

Mastermind sprung a 20/1 surprise in the Thanks To All Our Customers 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle.

A well-beaten sixth on his jumping bow at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, Charles O'Brien's juvenile made stealthy headway to take it up at the last under Denis O'Regan and came five lengths away from Randalls Ur Poet. Hot favourite Kuraka was only third.

O'Brien said: "That was nice and he had a good first run at Fairyhouse. He was a little bit free in Fairyhouse so we put the hood on him and it seems to have worked well and he switched off well today.

"He's not a bad horse but I was a bit concerned about the ground and Denis said if it was the last race, he might have been in a bit of trouble but was able to find fresh ground all the way around today.

"There aren't a huge range of options for the three-year-olds but we'll look to the usual sort of programme and go for a winners' race next."

READ THE FULL GOWRAN PARK REPORT IN NEXT WEEKEND'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD