WILLIE Mullins has really put his foot on the accelerator since the turn of the year and brought his tally to 29 winners in 2026, as both Leader d’Allier and Blue Velvet scored at odds-on in wet and windy conditions under champion Paul Townend.

Leader d’Allier, a multiple bumper winner in France and runner-up to Ballyfad on his hurdle debut at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting, readily justified prohibitive odds in the opening Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Maiden Hurdle. The Michael Burke-owned gelding made all and asserted early in the straight to beat Straight Down by an easy nine lengths.