DANNY Mullins continued a fine season when partnering a double at Limerick on Thursday at a lively students’ day.

Rebel Step got a typically well-judged front-running ride in the opening Molly’s Late Bar Maiden Hurdle to open his jumping account.

The Andy Slattery-trained gelding looked set for a cosy victory turning for home but got under the second last and was soon pressed by Weddell Sea and Bynx.

Mullins found a willing partner on the run-in as the 5/2 joint-favourite, owned by Pat Garvey, dug deep to record a three-quarter-length win over Weddell Sea.

“He had to battle and I liked what I saw from the back of the last home.

“As he matures more, he should improve and hopefully win a few more through the summer,” said the winning rider afterwards.

Gutsy Stars

The Richard O’Brien-trained Sparkling Stars brought up the Mullins double with another gutsy success in the McDermott’s GALA Patrickswell Handicap Hurdle.

The 11/5 favourite was prominent throughout and got on top on the run-in to beat Francois by three-quarters of a length.

He was making it two from three since joining O’Brien.

Mullins said afterwards: “He is really starting to fill into himself and the fact he goes on nicer ground means he could stay going.”

THE Matthew Smith-trained Rich Belief found a nice turn of foot to land the spoils in the House And Amber Rated Novice Hurdle. Mount Brown looked set to score going to the last but Rich Belief picked up well on the run-in to score by half a length under Donagh Meyler.

The 10/3 winner, in the colours of Ivan Keeling, is set to go to Fairyhouse for a novice handicap next.

Smith said: “I thought he would have more speed than them and has more ability than he lets on. He had good form and the nicer ground helped today.”

Smith double

Smith went on to record a double on the card, courtesy of Light Heidi in the first division of the Newcastlewest Handicap Hurdle. Bryan Cooper’s mount travelled well to lead turning for home in the two-mile, five-furlong contest and despite getting close to the last went on to beat Getaway Shivvie by a length.

Cooper said of the 9/2 favourite: “I was worried about the two miles the last day and when I got off her I said ‘wherever she goes, don’t jock me off her because she’ll win’. Going up in trip was a big help on that ground.”

Easy for We’llhavewan

The second division of the race saw an easy winner in the Tim Townend-trained We’llhavewan.

Jody Townend did the steering for her father and the Imperial Monarch cruised into the lead before two out before going on to score by seven lengths at odds of 10/1.

He was following up on a success at Thurles last month.

The trainer said of his winner: “The way he stayed on in Thurles we thought that the two miles, five furlongs would suit him and that was correct.”

TOOFAREASTISWEST left his previous form well behind when lunging late to claim the Locke Burger Maiden Hurdle.

The Shirocco gelding had pulled up on his previous start at Thurles but better ground brought about major improvement.

Shane Fitzgerald got a good tune from the 9/2 shot (16/1 in morning) on the run-in as he chased down Coconut Tudor for a neck success.

“We’ll keep him going for the summer and he’ll go over fences sooner rather than later,” reported trainer Eoghan O’Grady.

He was one of a number of horses to benefit from a sounder surface on the day.

Famous Shock

Name Me Famous sprang a 22/1 shock when claiming the MJ Finnegan’s Handicap Hurdle for trainer Eoin McCarthy.

The Famous Name gelding, in the colours of Denis Enright, was to the fore throughout and led over the last, under Richie Deegan, to beat Sequoiaspirit by three-parts of a length.

“He looks like a big winter horse but I’d say he gets away on better ground and cheekpieces and tongue-tie were a big help,” said McCarthy.

Fourie’s start

There were four in a line passing the furlong pole in the concluding bumper but Miss Fourie asserted in good style in the closing stages.

Harry Swan came from the rear on the Yeats filly as she swooped to record a four-length win on her first outing since joining Gavin Cromwell.

The 100/30 winner had been fifth on both starts last season.Cromwell said of Aisling Molloy’s mare: “She is a grand filly and I was delighted with the way she quickened and stayed going to the line.”