THE bookies took a hammering on the first day of the new King John’s Castle Racing Festival, with Willie Mullins and Gavin Cromwell claiming five races between them.

Mullins saddled three runners on this seven-race programme, with Paul Townend guiding each of them to victory, beginning with A Penny A Hundred in the opening King John’s Castle Maiden Hurdle.

The first of six successful favourites, the 4/6 chance jumped the second last in unison with Cut The Rope (5/2).

The Brendan O’Sullivan-owned victor gained a narrow lead before the last and with her market rival blundering, she stretched clear on the run-in, coming home three and three-quarters of a length to the good.

“Everything worked out well, she has a lovely attitude and hopefully can progress throughout the season. Jumping is her forte and that can bring her a long way,” Townend explained.

Formidable pair

Both listed races also went to the formidable pair, with Space Tourist claiming the first of them, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle.

Sent off a well-supported favourite at 6/4 (from 9/2), the Yorkshire Rose Syndicate-owned six-year-old travelled best and got to the front before the penultimate obstacle.

While Riviere D’etel (3/1) attempted to come with a renewed effort away from the last, the winner pulled out more when ridden and had four and three-quarters of a length to spare at the line.

“She was beaten on the line at Listowel and was very tough and genuine today,” Townend remarked.

“It opens doors having won on heavy ground here and there were no hiding places as we went a good gallop.”

Just four lined-up for the Rathsallagh Country House Novice Hurdle, with High Class Hero completing the Mullins and Townend treble in the colours of Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd, Neill Hughes and Pat Crowley.

Four from four

A £90,000 purchase after winning a point-to-point for Matthew Flynn O’Connor, the Sulamani chesnut is now four from four since joining current connections.

While not fluent at times, the 8/15 chance came with his challenge between horses approaching two out and was pushed along to lead before the final flight.

He extended his advantage on the run-in and came home seven lengths clear of The Big Doyen.

“He surprised us at the start as he does a lot more on the track than he does at home. He’s a lovely horse who is improving every day,” Townend revealed.

“He looks a horse for festivals and if you wanted to knock him, you could knock his jumping, but when I wanted him, he was there.”

ASK Anything initiated Gavin Cromwell’s brace, as he justified 5/6 favouritism in the Christmas Festival Tickets On Sale Maiden Hurdle.

Bought for £90,000 after winning a point-to-point for Michael Murphy, the Ask five-year-old performed with credit on his first two starts for current connections, disappointing when last seen at Punchestown in April.

Owned by the Macatwi Partnership and starting off over flights, the Keith Donoghue-ridden victor was never far from the pace and came with his effort early in the straight.

In a share of the lead when blundering two out, he gained an outright advantage at the last and with nearest pursuer Larkfield Lusive far from fluent there, he stretched clear on the run-in to beat that rival by three and a quarter lengths.

“I tried to keep it simple, he was a little keen early on and his jumping was a little bit high,” Donoghue commented.

“I thought I was in bother at the second last when he hit a flat spot, but he got a good jump at the last and galloped out to the line well.”

Impressing

Another point-to-point graduate completed Cromwell’s double, with Lingstown winner Only By Night impressing in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Third at Warwick in February on what was her sole start for Jonjo O’Neill, the Affinisea five-year-old was sent off the 9/4 favourite in the colours of Jackie Russell and her husband Colin.

Always towards the head of affairs, the £110,000 purchase gained an outright advantage early in the straight and never came off the bridle, stretching clear in the closing stages to score by eight and a half lengths.

“Gavin, Keith (Donoghue) and Sean (Flanagan) spoke highly of her and she is a smasher who could be blacktype level,” winning rider Derek O’Connor enthused.

“She handled the ground, ran through the line very easy and is quite exciting.”

Out of seven-time winner Adarma, the J.P. McManus-owned homebred was available at 11/1 in early shows, but after sustained market-support the six-year-old went off at just 9/2.

Settled behind the leaders by Mark Walsh, the lightly-raced bay travelled best approaching two out and soon led, going on to comfortably account for Hard Rain (4/1 favourite) by two and a quarter lengths.

“She had a hiccup after Gowran (in January) and went home, but it mightn’t have done her any harm as she came back a stronger mare,” Roche reported.

“We were hoping she’d run well as it was a weak contest and we knew she’d handle the ground. She is a nice mare going forward.”

Market confidence

There was no let up for bookmakers in the Panoramic Restaurant At Limerick Races Handicap Hurdle, with Ishan also justifying market confidence under Phillip Enright.

As big as 7/1 in early shows for this two-mile five-furlong contest, the Sam Curling-trained five-year-old was eventually returned the 2/1 favourite.

Sent to the front before the penultimate obstacle, the Pius Collins-owned bay readily stretched clear and came home nine and a half lengths to the good, despite jumping to his right at the final two flights.

“He did it well and the step up in trip was a big help. He didn’t jump great on his first couple of runs back this year but slow ground suits him,” Curling reflected.

“He’s a low-grade type of horse but we’ll keep tipping away with him and he’ll go back over fences at some stage.”