DANNY Mullins completed a unique double at Galway last October, riding winners for his mother and father, and he repeated the feat at Wexford before teaming up with Dick Donohoe to complete his first treble over jumps.
Having missed the opening fixture going left-handed in April (in America at the time), Mullins quickly adjusted to the new course as he guided Last Encounter to an easy success in the Mount Leinster Maiden Hurdle.
Having led and disputed in the early stages, the Mag Mullins gelding was left in front at the sixth when Celtic Nobility suffered a fatal fall.
The winning son of Beneficial, who was returned the even money favourite, extended his advantage turning into the straight and he went clear on the run-in, coming home 15 lengths to the good.
The winning handler said afterwards: “He has just been a bit of a baby. I’d say he is probably a three-miler and I think he’s a good horse. I think he is better going left-handed.
“Ger and Mary Mullins own and bred him. They are next door neighbours of mine and they own Duninga Gallops. Ger trains a few himself and Paddy Mullins would have been his uncle.”
WORKED HARDER
Danny Mullins had to work much harder for his second win, as Balinaboola Prince (9/4 favourite) battled gamely to take the Hen & Stag Parties At Wexford Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
The Luso gelding made steady headway from four out and improved to dispute the lead before the last. He had a great battle with Grangeclare Rosa from there, doing just enough to see off that rival by a head.
Tony Mullins trains this one and he said: “I think it is close on 40 years since his owner (Seamus Tobin) had his first runner and this is his first winner! He is a farmer and next door neighbour at home.
“Danny thinks this horse will improve as he was a bit inexperienced. We might go to Killarney or maybe we’ll have a big day with him in Galway.”
Mullins junior completed the three-timer on Moonunderwater, in the first division of the Phelim Byrne Seasuir At Wexford Racecourse Handicap Hurdle.
Twice a beaten favourite over the course in April, the son of Norwich went off an 11/2 chance (from 13/2) in the colours of owner/breeder Tom Drennan. He came with his run on the outer before the last, and hit the front shortly after that flight, drawing clear in the closing stages, winning by four and three-quarters of a length.
Dick Donohoe stated: “He never travelled today but Danny has the Midas touch. He might go to Gowran now on Saturday, we’ll see how he is.” (Runs at 4.35pm)
Reflecting on his treble, Danny Mullins remarked: “It’s great to have a treble. I had one before on the flat.”
FIRST WIN
Keep Swinging came from last to first under Barry Cash, as he registered his first win on his 20th start in the second division.
Backed from 12/1 into 9/1 on-course, the Oasis Dream six-year-old was produced with his challenge on the outer approaching the last. He led soon after and kept on well under pressure to oblige by two and three-quarters of a length in the colours of Paddy Hayes.
Michael Hourigan junior trains the well-related type, and he commented: “I think he got the ride of the month! He might go to Bellewstown next. I think there is an 80 to 102 that would suit him there.”
LEFT-HANDED
Tempo Mac was sent off the 9/10 favourite for the remaining hurdle on the card, the Wellingtonbridge Handicap, but he had to settle for second as Lilly The Lioness (11/1) landed the spoils under Mark Enright.
Trained in Co Kilkenny by Garrett Power, the Pat McCarthy owned and bred eight-year-old was settled in third. She was a bit short of room turning into the straight but once in the clear she shot through to lead at the last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.
Power revealed afterwards: “She will probably go for the mares’ handicap hurdle on the Wednesday of Galway and she might run in a chase before that. She prefers going left-handed.”
Mark Enright had to settle for second aboard Well Tuned in the opening Courtown Mares Beginners Chase, as I’m All You Need ran out a comfortable winner under Mikey Fogarty for Paul Nolan.
Sent off the 5/2 favourite, the Philip Byrne owned daughter of King’s Theatre hit the front after three out and went clear in the straight, going on to win by six lengths.
Mikey Fogarty said in the aftermath: “Jumping won it for her. She was good and brave at the second last. When she turned in she had a look at the stands but fair dues to her, she done it well.”
Beckwith Star was another favourite to oblige (5/1 in early shows and from 7/2 to 5/2 on-course) as he just got up to beat stablemate Tisamystery in the Jog For Jockeys Handicap Chase.
The Herb Stanley-owned victor looked held after two out, but he kept on well for pressure on the run-in, getting up to win by a short head.
Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead was absent but successful rider Adam O’Neill said: “I’d say the second horse just idled away and let me get there more than anything.
“That’s my first ride for Henry and I ride out for him most mornings. It’s nice to get the ride and the win.”
The well-backed Little Mitch (11/2 to 4/1 on-course) was a good winner of the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race.
Having raced mainly in second, she improved to lead five furlongs out, and she was ridden to assert over a furlong from home, going on to prevail by three and a half lengths under Pa King.
Yvonne Latta trains the six-year-old for her husband Charlie and she reflected: “She was out injured and the run here the last day brought her on. We fancied her today and she will probably go hurdling now.”
Acting Stewards
W. Halley, Mrs C. Corballis, N. Colfer, G. Cullen, S. Quinn.
Horse To Follow
GRANGECLARE ROSA (W.P Mullins): This well-bred daughter of Gamut ran a cracker on her debut over flights, just going down by a head to the more experienced Balinaboola Prince. She appeared to relish the step up in trip and she can be expected to open her account soon.