Mullins and McManus initiate a double

"He took a while to come to himself but had a nice run at Fairyhouse. That was a bit more competitive that this, which was a far lesser race," said Tom Mullins after Scoir Mear whom he handles for J P McManus, landed the first split of the Ryans Cleaning Event Specialists Handicap Hurdle at Tipperary.

The Barry Geraghty-ridden grey was very lively in the betting during the day, backed in from around 'eights' to less than the 4/1 that he returned.

Mullins was joining his son David on the score-sheet, after his win for Henry de Bromhead in the first on Conrad Hastings and this win was achieved even though Scoir Mear ran freely early.

The similarly well-fancied Theo looked like he might get the job done at the second last, but Scoir Mear ultimately won that argument by two lengths.

"It was soft enough for him and he'll go on quicker ground. He'll go for another handicap," added Mullins.

(TW & EM)