RIVEN Light returned from a lengthy absence to win the valuable COLM QUINN BMW Mile Handicap for the second successive year at Galway.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was last seen competing in Group 1 company in Australia in October, where he picked up a serious leg injury. He had screws inserted initially, but went lame again before Mullins nursed him right back to his best.

Competing off a mark some 16lbs higher than that off which he won last year, he also had to overcome stall 18, but proved so much better than his rivals it did not matter.

Danny Mullins – much better known for his exploits over jumps – could be spotted some way out to be travelling better than anything else and it was just a matter of whether he would blow up on his first run for 290 days.

In the end, the 11/1 chance stayed on powerfully to beat Aidan O'Brien's Bond Street by three-quarters of a length, becoming just the second horse to win back-to-back runnings of the race.

Mullins said: "Danny gave him a great ride – he was ice cool. He put him asleep and that was the plan.

"This horse suffered a fracture in Australia and it was touch and go whether he'd even live or not. He had two screws inserted in his leg, but they had to come out eventually and all we were doing coming here was hoping.

"We said we'd plan an autumn campaign for him after this if things went all right. Adrenaline kicks in on the racetrack and that must have been what's happened there. It's a huge surprise, but we're delighted."

CHALLENGE

Another Mullins duo combined as St Stephens Green held off the challenge of Winter Escape to provide the Mee family with successive wins in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase.

While Henry de Bromhead trained last year's winner, Three Wise Men, this time it was Emmet and David Mullins who combined for glory. The 3/1 favourite knuckled down well and won by two and a quarter lengths.

"He schooled very well at home and we were hoping he'd bring it to the track,” said Emmet Mullins, who was on the mark with a winner on Monday as well.

"The two-mile-two trip was a bit of a worry, but he stuck his head out and he was game. He was spring-heeled at the last two.

"David was confident enough in the horse to give him a squeeze there and he delivered. All being well he'll run Friday night if he's okay.

The regally-bred Hermosa got off the mark at the second time of asking in the COLM QUINN BMW Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.

O'Brien's youngster, a full-sister to Group 1 winner Hydrangea, had been an eycatching fourth on her debut. It was hard work today, but Donnacha O'Brien eventually persuaded the 11/8 favourite to put her best foot forward.

"She's improving away, but she's still a bit backward," said the rider. "Once I got a crack into her she picked up well. It was a good performance. She was green the first day and she was still a bit green today.

"For an inexperienced two-year-old this is a tough track, but once she got in the clear in the straight she was good."

Sheila Lavery's Burning Question (9/2) made all the running to claim the Caulfield Industrial Irish EBF Maiden, denting some lofty reputations in the process, including Dermot Weld's well-bred newcomer Dabiyr.

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