Shuil opens account for birthday boy Nolan

David Mullins partnered his third winner since turning professional just before Christmas as Shuilamach opened her account in the McCarthy Insurance Group Mares Handicap Hurdle at Cork.

Trained by Paul Nolan, who was marking his 46th birthday with a timely success, the eight-year-old mare was placed on six of her first eight outings under rules before gaining an important winning bracket here. Kindly Vinnie set the pace in this two and a half miles event but Shuilamach loomed up to challenge in the straight.

The daughter of Presenting was far from fluent at the final two flights but quickly put the race to bed on the run-in to score by five lengths at odds of 5/1.

Who's That was a further five and a half lengths back in third.

Nolan said, "David (Mullins) gave him a peach of a ride and is a nice pilot.

"She has a nice pedigree and on her best form she was entitled to win. She'd always been there or thereabouts but was a bit disappointing at Thurles the last day. She got her chance today and took it.

"We had her entered for a beginners chase recently but decided to give her another chance over hurdles."

Mullins said, "She was a perfect ride and every time I took a pull she took off on me. Paul said to get her jumping and keep her happy. Everything went to plan and she won well. She was as sweet as a nut with the blinkers."

(TW & AM)