McManus, Walsh & Mullins bag Naas doubles

J.P. McManus and Mark Walsh combined successfully for doubles at Naas today with Elixir D'ainay s win in the Cavan Developments Supporting St Marys Maiden Hurdle as winning trainer Willie Mullins himself was registering a third success across two continents on the day.

The son of Muntathir made most of the running and eventually fended off the persistent challenge of Longhouse Poet on the run-in when registering a length and three parts success.

Mullins was in Australia for his True Self's 3.10am success in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a handicap race, at Flemington and then sent out Cilaos Emery to win the 1.05pm Grade 3 chase at Naas.

Following Elixir D'ainay's race McManus' racing manager Frank Berry, also on hand for the earlier winner and Mark Walsh-steered Kilfenora stated “he (Elixir D'ainay) jumped away nice and liked the ground. The first two have come a nice bit clear so I’d say it was a fair maiden hurdle.

“Mark said he loves the conditions and he jumps well. You couldn’t have asked for much better and we’ll find a novice for him down the road.”

Paddy Power and Betfair later introduced Elixir D'ainay at 16/1 for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Quotes from Alan Magee