THE last National Hunt fixture at Leopardstown until December 26th belonged to Willie Mullins as the champion trainer reeled off a four-timer which offered further evidence of the terrific heart of his string ahead of a potentially momentous Cheltenham Festival.

The trainer’s winners were headed by the Jack Foley-ridden Glengouly in the Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle over two miles.

Already a winner of a race in this series on Thyestes day, the Coastal Path gelding coped well with a drop in trip of half a mile to win nicely under Jack Foley.

The 5/2 chance led at the last and found plenty on the run-in to score by three-quarters of a length from Sams Choice who also chased him home at Gowran Park in January. The Roaringwater Syndicate-owned winner remains on course for the €75,000 final of this series at Punchestown next month.

“It was a great ride from Jack, he got him settled. I was particularly pleased that he was able to win over two miles,” commented Mullins.

Roaring Leinster

The Roaringwater Syndicate colours were also carried to victory by Mt Leinster in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase over an extended two miles.

The 136-rated 2/11 favourite was outjumped at a few fences by Global Society but ultimately he was much too strong for that rival as he took charge early in the straight and only needed to be nudged out to prevail by 13 lengths.

“They went some gallop. Paul thought the run in the handicap the last day gave him huge experience coming back there going at that speed in a beginners’ chase,” observed the trainer. “We’ll try and find a race in Fairyhouse or Punchestown. I’d imagine that took a fair bit out of him given the pace they went.”

Speedy Boy

Rath Gaul Boy (8/13), in the colours of Sullivan Bloodstock Limited, brought up the four-timer in the bumper. A winner of Kinsale point-to-point for Michael Goff in late October, this son of Well Chosen won nicely.

He responded to Patrick Mullins’ promptings to take command of this race nearing the last furlong and crossed the line six lengths ahead of Golden Wonder’s who caught the eye with a nice finishing effort.

“He just keeps improving and he has more speed than he is bred for. I might try a winners’ bumper next and I imagine he’ll go jumping next season,” commented the trainer.

The day got off to a bright start for favourite backers with odds-on chances obliging in both divisions of the two-mile maiden hurdle.

In the opener it was the turn of the Mullins-trained Brooklynn Glory who added to her two wins in bumpers. A creditable third to Meet And Greet at Naas last month saw the Swords Bloodstock-owned mare returned a well-supported 8/15 favourite.

More Glory

Paul Townend had to chase her along nearing the straight to get on terms with Pats Choice but Brooklynn Glory responded well to lead before the last and. She had a good look at the final obstacle, but she reached the line a length and a half ahead of her opponent.

“I was very pleased to see her settle. I think the penny might be dropping and she is learning to race properly. We’ll aim towards Fairyhouse or Punchestown or we’ll see can we find a nice mares’ race for her,” stated Mullins.

GOLDEN Spear (10/1) rolled back the years in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle which saw the Tony Martin-trained 11-year-old secure his first win since capturing a Grade B contest at Down Royal in November 2018.

Also a dual premier handicap winner on the flat, the John Breslin-owned gelding had to switch course on the run-in and come further out to make his challenge but this didn’t compromise his chances as Liam McKenna still had time to land him on front on the line for a head success over Na Caith Tobac.

“He’s been a great little horse for us and he wears his heart on his sleeve so it’s great to see him getting another day, and in fairness to him, the handicapper gave him a chance,” declared Martin.

Gordon Elliott’s Prevaricate was a 2/9 shot for the second division of the two-mile maiden hurdle and enjoyed a straightforward time of things from the front. Jack Kennedy didn’t have to ask for everything for his mount to retain control of this race in the straight and the Tim O’Driscoll-owned son of Fame And Glory, who had reached the first four in five of his first six races, defeated Khanmurjan by four lengths.

“If I’m honest he’s been a little disappointing. He works very well at home and I thought he’d have won his maiden a long time ago but now he’s won he will hopefully go forward from here and he liked that ground.

“We mightn’t waste too much time over hurdles,” commented Elliott.

IT was a day to savour for jockey Cian Walsh who bagged the first success of his career when Bronson In Blue (10/1) struck for John McConnell in the 80-109 rated TRI Equestrian Handicap Hurdle over three miles.

Walsh judged things to perfection on the Fracas gelding as he settled him well off the pace and the pair still had around nine rivals to pass turning for home before coming with a sweeping effort on the run-in to defeat Pale Blue Dot (whose jockey Denis Hogan picked up a seven-day suspension) by two and a half lengths. The relatively lightly raced nine-year-old was making his third appearance for McConnell.

“He’s not a very big horse but he has a big heart and stays. He got a lovely ride from Cian who works in the yard for me. He’s scopey enough and he’ll jump a fence and the owners will have plenty of fun with him,” reported the trainer.

Citizen strikes

For the second year in succession, Super Citizen and Mikey O’Sullivan struck gold in the John Thomas McNamara Series (Q.R.) Handicap Chase over two miles, five furlongs. The winning rider’s uncle Eugene O’Sullivan trains this eight-year-old for Alurie O’Sullivan (no relation) and Super Citizen won at odds of 7/2 having been 22/1 12 months ago.

Super Citizen looked vulnerable when Echoes Of Family came with a strong challenge to lead after the last but he fought back valiantly to carry the day by a length and a quarter ahead of a tilt at Cheltenham’s cross-country chase.