WILLIE Mullins began and ended the card with a winner and he was responsible for by far the highest rated jumper to run at this year’s August Festival which came in the shape of Easy Game who was able to justify 2/9 favouritism in the EY Chase over just short of two and three-quarter miles.

This Wicklow Bloodstock-owned gelding didn’t get to show his best when unplaced in the Galway Plate but his form last season featured a tremendous second to Faugheen in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown and only three deigned to take on the 153-rated Easy Game.

One of these was Razoul whose jockey Donagh Meyler somehow managed to stay on board when the gelding barely took off at the first.

At the other end of the race, Razoul actually emerged to press the Paul Townend-ridden Easy Game with two to jump but the latter was simply much too quick and slick over the last two fences and he finished with three and a quarter lengths to spare.

Improving mare

Willie Mullins then teamed up with his son Patrick as Ruaille Buaille (10/11) progressed on placed runs in Downpatrick bumpers 13 months apart to look like quite a smart sort. Over the last two furlongs or so, the Ri Ra Racing Syndicate-owned mare stormed clear of Not What It Seems to pull 13 lengths clear.

“She came on from her run last month. I don’t think she is a filly for winter ground and maybe she might go hurdling while the ground is nice although there are a few mares’ winners’ bumpers coming up,” commented the winning rider.

HIS amazing recovery after Razoul clouted the first fence in the opener earned Donagh Meyler many plaudits and he secured a deserved winner on Lismore winner Trees Valley in the mares’ maiden hurdle where she kicked off a double for Liam Burke.

Last season represented an upswing in fortunes for the Burke yard and the trainer is continuing that momentum in the current campaign.

In a race confined to mares that had never been placed, the 87-rated Trees Valley (100/30) came here off a respectable showing in a Cork handicap hurdle earlier in the month. The Burke-owned mare held every chance from two out and she responded well to Meyler’s urgings to see off Lady Rocco by three quarters of a length.

Burke double

Burke completed his double with Yaiza, a winner at this track in June 2019, in the 80-109 rated Copper Coast Geo Park Handicap Hurdle over an extended two and a half miles. Darragh O’Keeffe was on board this sparingly campaigned nine-year-old who got home by a neck after battling with City Limits from before the last flight.

This was a second win from just 10 career starts for the Lanzarote Partnership-owned nine-year-old.

“It’s great to have a double, it’s like the good old days,” stated Burke. “He doesn’t have the best of legs but he has a big heart and he likes this place.”

Darragh O’Keeffe also ended this fixture with a double as he was also successful on Tom Gibney’s Elegant Lass in the Noel Ryan Tree Surgeon Mares Handicap Hurdle.

This Leonard Kinsella-owned daughter of Dandy Man, who won at 50/1 at Bellewstown last month and then took second at this track a couple of weeks later, made all and just lasted home from Aunty Audrey.

“Jumping has really helped her settle and relax and I’m pleased for the owner as he has been so patient,” commented Gibney.

IT was a notable evening for Cappoquin-based Niall Hennessy as Mary Fields (16/1) gave the trainer his first winner on the track in the 0-95 rated FormaHoof Handicap Chase.

Also a welcome first winner of the year for jockey Mikey Hamill, this nine-year-old daughter of Scorpion came off best in a three-way finish from the second last to see off Cluan Dara by half a length.

Hennessy also owns this mare and reported that he has two horses in training. It was felt that the switch to good ground made all the difference to this mare. In the same race James O’Sullivan was hit with a five-day whip ban for his efforts on the third-placed Cantkidakidder.

The nine-year-old Banjo (12/1) secured a long overdue first success in the two-mile maiden hurdle for horses who had never won a race. Denis Cullen’s charge deserved to win a race long before now but when his turn finally came it did so in clear-cut fashion as he crossed the line some seven lengths ahead of Dave And Bernie.

Conor McNamara was on board this Cranky Corner Syndicate-owned gelding who was wearing cheekpieces for the first time.