Mullins doubles up with Self

Willie Mullins notched a quick double on the opening day at Punchestown when True Self ran out a convincing winner of the Killashee Handicap Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore produced the 12/1 shot to lead turning for home in the two-miler and sent her clear going to the last.

The Oscar mare kept on strongly on the run-in to record a two-and-a-half length success over Joey Sasa

The winner had been held when falling at the last at Fairyhouse a week ago and Mullins felt he slightly better ground made the difference today:-

“She's a good mare and Rachael was saying the ground made a big difference.

“I thought she would win in Fairyhouse but obviously she got bogged down in it and then was unlucky to fall.

“I thought she was working well but Fairyhouse but she disappointed me. Rachael just thought it was the ground.

“She was a very very well bought mare. She was very cheap.

“Rachael is a good jockey, she's not a lady jockey, she's a good jockey.”

Blackmore added:- “Neville is a great friend of ours and it's brilliant to get a winner for him here today.

“His company Ard Glen Construction sponsor Brian (Hayes) and he rode a winner on her before. 9-12 helped me get on her today.

“The ground wasn't too bad. She ran a week ago in Fairyhouse and the ground was a little bit softer there but it was lovely today and she travelled really well.”