Second favourite Chavi Artist just beat odds-on ‘jolly’ Ten Or Better after an exciting conclusion to the opening Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

The front-running approach of Chavi Artist (2/1 out to 11/4) looked likely to come up short when Tens Or Better (11/10 into 4/5) headed him at the last.

However winning jockey David Mullins looked happy that he’d have every chance with another crack at Tens Or Better on the run-in.

So it proved too as his father Tom’s Presenting gelding, owned by Rory Larkin, edged out the Paul Townend-ridden mare by a head.

They left newcomer Fou Diligence (played up in the preliminaries) fifteen lengths back in third.

“Lucky Larkin! I sold him to Rory just before he ran the last day in Naas. I’d say if he had his original colours (of trainer’s wife Helen) he wouldn’t have won! Rory is away at the rugby match in Italy," said Mullins senior.

“He wants two and a half (miles) and maybe even three. He’s in the Albert Bartlett and he might go if the owner wants to go. He’s improving all the time.

“There is a lovely pot for the Final of this Series in Punchestown and we may just wait for that either.”

(AM & EM)