Scaglietti makes it a treble on the day for Mullins

Scaglietti completed a treble for champion trainer Willie Mullins on the opening session of the seven-day Listowel Festival when justifying favouritism on debut in the Kerry Group Flat Race.

The Beat Hollow mare, a half-sister to three winners including Sesenta who landed the Ebor for the same connections at York nine years ago, was sent off the evens favourite.

Patrick Mullins had her close to the pace throughout, although he needed to get serious in the straight.

The five-year-old drifted left when asked for maximum effort, and led inside the final furlong before going on to beat Jack Valentine by a length and three quarters. Castletown Quary was the same distance further away in third.

The places were confirmed following a stewards enquiry. Mullins was successful earlier with Wicklow Brave and Camelia De Cotte both ridden by Paul Townend who recorded a four-timer on the card.

Patrick Mullins said, "She is a half-sister to Sesenta who won the Ebor for us and she is only slightly bigger than her. Sesenta was one of the smallest we've ever had.

"She was very green and did well to win because she had to come quite wide, which wasn't ideal. Often with those small fillies in bumpers, a clear run is worth a lot and I think she'll improve a lot.

"There is the Listed Mares' Bumper in Gowran and we'll consider that but Willie is in (South) Korea so we'll have to wait and see."

(TW & AM)