1-2-3 and it's 4 on the day for Willie

The Grade Three Advent Insurance Irish EBF Mares Hurdle saw Willie Mullins continue on his dominant ways on the closing day of the Christmas festivals with a 1-2-3 in Leopardstown's third event. Good Thyne Tara made a lot of it to prevail under David Mullins.

It's now two at Limerick and two at Leopardstown for Mullins after his nephew David on Good Thyne Tara (6s out to 7s and back to 9/2) fought off stable companion Elimay (6s into 4s) by half a length.

Ruby Walsh 's mount Limini (8/15 out to 8/11) ended up five and a half lengths back in third.

Rocky Blue and Kemboy have already made for a Christmas to remember for David Mullins and his uncle stated after this victory: "She's very tough. We're probably lucky to still have her in training. We didn't get the rain this winter and if we had I would have just sent her back.

“The ground is good and she loves it. David said she went down on the sand track where it was heavy and she hated it. He said the minute she stepped out on the grass she was a different mare.

“He wanted to make the running on her and I said 'okay go ahead and do that'. It worked out for him again.

“It was a big surprise to me as I didn't think she was up to that standard but the more she does the more she improves.

“She's probably just a little better than a lot of them on this ground. We'll see what happens when the ground gets heavy.

“I was delighted with Elimay. It was her first run for us. Charlie Swan bought her in France for JP McManus.

“She's not a big mare but she's obviously got a big engine, I think. For her first run over hurdles here it was good.

“With Limini, I'm just wondering if the runs she had on the Flat on very firm ground might be telling now on this unseasonably dry ground here.

“She might just improve back to her old form if the weather breaks. Ruby felt she wasn't letting herself down on it. She wants more of a cut in the ground.”

On race two victor Castlebawn West he said: “He had the benefit of a previous run and that stood to him. He did it well.

“He'll continue on the staying novice hurdle route. I'd imagine.”

On Limerick scorer Pravalaguna the Closutton maestro commented: “That was very good and she's maybe one to watch out for for the rest of the season.”

And on Faugheen the update went as follows: "He's fine. He's sore this morning but he's fine.

“He's going to be sore for a few days. We'll have to see how he is. We'll leave him for the weekend and probably just hand walk him.

“Ruby hasn't asked the question but who knows what would have happened as it was so far out. Anyway he's in good order.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Limini, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

(GC & EM)