Whatdeawant swoops late in Navan opener

Willie Mulins got a busy weekend for the Closutton team off to a bright start as Whatdeawant got on top close home to land division one of the Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle at Navan.

Harald Hardrad headed the front-running Gracchus De Balme before the last at which point Fairyhouse bumper winner Whatdeawant was still a number of lengths back in third.

However, Danny Mullins galvanised a strong run from the 5/4 favourite on the run-in and he finished with such effect that the winning margin was two-and-a-quarter lengths at the line.

Easy Clonmel bumper winner Harald Hardrad ran a fine race on his hurdling debut, while Lisronagh point winner Gracchus De Balme was a further five lengths back in third.

The trio stretched 19 lengths clear of Prevaricate in fourth.

Danny Mullins said, “It was a good performance. Even though I was a few lengths down I was always getting the feeling off him that I would get there.

“It's his first run of the year and hopefully he'll step forward again. His bumper form is fairly solid from last year and hopefully he'll keep developing into a nice novice hurdler.

“He'll probably get further than two-and-a-half but when the ground gets slower, the way he picked up in the last furlong-and-a-half, you wouldn't mind coming back.

“You'll probably see the best of him over further but he's not going to be stuck going staying trips as there is a little bit of class with him too. It's a grand starting point and his bit of class told today.”

(AM & GC)