One-two for Mullins in Saturday opener

Willie Mullins recorded his third winner of the Galway festival when Jackfinbar led home a stable one-two in the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle.

A smart stayer on the level, the nine-year-old was making his hurdling debut on his first appearance for nearly ten months.

Sent off the 11/4 favourite, Danny Mullins' mount tracked the leaders before picking up well rounding the home turn to lead on the approach to the last.

From there the winner stayed on well to beat the Paul Townend-partnered Hipop De Loire by a length and three quarters in the colours of the Haven't A Pot Partnership. 

Mullins reported: "Both my horses were nine and seven years of age and were coming off the Flat so wouldn't have known about hurdling and Jackfinbar was very keen. It is a different pace over jumps so they had to settle back and think, but both did it nicely.

"It was a pity having to run them against each other but I hadn't another opportunity to get them out this week and I wanted to run. 

"Jackfinbar had two injuries and was too late when he came out to go novice hurdling last year and with the other fellow (Hipop De Loire), I just wanted to wait with him. They are two nice horses.

"The first and second might go to the Ebor in York now - Absurde got beaten here last year and went on and won the Ebor so these will try and do the same."

Quotes from Tom Weekes