FRESH from their ‘French Champion Hurdle’ heroics with Benie Des Dieux, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend successfully reverted to domestic action with a Wexford double which began with Great White Shark in the three-mile conditions hurdle.

In the Malcolm Denmark colours, which were so nearly carried the Grand National glory by the Mullins-trained Pleasant Company last year, the daughter of Le Havre was showing notable versatility in making a seamless transition to this trip.

Previously Great White Shark (11/10) had won over two miles at Fairyhouse but she looked equally at home over this distance and despite some untidy jumping on the second circuit she brushed aside the front-running Poli Roi to score by 11 lengths. This was the third year in succession that this race has gone to Mullins.

Eventful double

The double was brought up by Pont Aven in a rather eventful beginners’ chase over an extended three miles. The six-runner field was reduced to just three after the first fence as Westland Row attempted to refuse and unshipped Keith Donoghue, also causing Sizing Joshua to depart. The latter’s stablemate Baily Gorse came down independently at the rear of the field.

At the other end of the race, Pont Aven (9/10) managed to avoid a loose horse coming the wrong way up the home straight while another loose one circled menacingly nearing the second last only to leave the leader untouched. After all this, the Roderick Ryan-owned Pont Aven won by 23 lengths to add this race to the novice hurdle victory he recorded here last month.

Drama

There was also drama in the maiden hurdle confined to horses that had never finished in the first three as Shawshank parted company with Bryan Cooper when certain to win. Shawshank cleared two out with a good lead but then jinked right shortly afterwards which saw the unfortunate Cooper hit the ground.

This left the Katie O’Farrell-ridden Araukan (10/1) to pick up the pieces and defeat Big Tree by three lengths. While desperately hard luck on the connections of Shawshank, this victory was a welcome change of luck for trainer Sean Treacy who was registering his first success since Theatre Wine won a bumper at this track just over three years ago.

The victorious six-year-old is owned and bred by the trainer’s wife Geraldine.

Charle Brune gamble

IT was an afternoon to cherish for Thurles-based trainer Tom Shanahan as Charle Brune gave him a first success on the track and did so on the back of some notable support at big prices earlier in the day.

Wednesday morning Charle Brune was a 50/1 chance for the 80-95 rated two-mile handicap hurdle, but the six-year-old was a 10/1 shot by the time he jumped off and recaptured the form of his initial outings in early 2017.

Donagh Meyler sent Charle Brune to the front after the second hurdle and the pair built up an ever increasing lead which saw them cross the line some 23 lengths ahead of Soul Season.

Shanahan, who also owns the gelding and has sent out five point-to-point winners in recent seasons, commented: “He’s always been free and we could never settle him. Today we decided to jump him out in front and see what might happen. I didn’t think he’d stay going.’’

Shortall perseveres

GALWAY Plate-winning rider Shane Shortall worked the oracle for favourite backers in the 80-109 rated mares’ handicap hurdle as he somehow got Joseph O’Brien’s Deilginis (9/4) home in front. This Martin O’Sullivan-owned daughter of Flemensfirth was under pressure some way from home but Shortall kept her in the reckoning and forged on in the closing stages to defeat Trans Wood by two and a half lengths.

A good day for punters also saw the 3/1 favourite Perfect Leader pick up the two-mile handicap chase for Margaret Mullins and her son Danny. The Patrick Hogan-owned nine-year-old already looked to be in charge when the chasing Commandant exited at the final fence. Doneraile-based trainer Patrick Cronin and his nephew William combined to take the mares’ bumper with Celine Soprano. The 3/1 chance, who is also bred and owned by Patrick Cronin, followed up her second in a point-to-point bumper at Cork with a commanding 13-length success over Whenurgoodurgood. She could head for a winners’ bumper at either Listowel or Galway.

Russell fined

Davy Russell was fined €400 by the stewards for failing to present himself for his rides without providing a satisfactory explanation.