Burning Victory (Danny Mullins) leads from Hook Up (Rachael Blackmore, nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins ran four stable newcomers in the Grade Three Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse. The Closutton maestro saddled a 1-3-4 with Burning Victory (10/1 — 11/1 — 7/1) leading them home under Danny Mullins.
The successful daughter of Nathaniel wasn’t always fluent with her jumping, including at the last, but there’s no doubting her ability, as evidenced by a 94 rating from her time on the Flat in France.
Outsider Great Bear (40/1) made an excellent hurdling debut to get within two and a half lengths of Burning Victory, with two and a quarter lengths to Mullins’ Hook Up (Rachael Blackmore) in third. Gjoumi with Brian Hayes in the saddle, finished fourth for Mullins.
“I don't think she jumped particularly well, she made one huge mistake down the back, but she seems to have a bit of natural ability so that's nice,” said Mullins.
When asked if it was a surprise result he added:- “Probably. I'd say Paul (Townend) would be surprised and Gamin Original obviously ran disappointingly (finished at the rear).
“But they all are nice horses that work well at home but you don't know when you bring them to the races what they are going to be like.
“With the ground conditions we said we'd take a chance as they'd be going a bit slower than they would in a normal Grade 3.
“It gave them all a chance and if something happened to win like she did we'd be thinking then 'would we put them on the team for Cheltenham'.
“We'll see how they come out of it or we might just wait for the big race here at Easter. It may be a better plan.”
On the fact that two held Triumph Hurdle entries:- “Their name probably came up in conversation and we put them in the Triumph Hurdle in case.
“I hadn't really pressed any buttons with them. The four of them are horses that I think will be graded horses in the future.”
When asked if he was fussed about bringing the winner to Cheltenham he replied:-
“Not really. I'll have a chat with the owners. It depends on how she comes out of it but it could be tough on a mare having her second run.”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Gamin Original (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Anna Bunina (FR), trained by John C. McConnell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have lost the right hind shoe and that she was also struck into on her right hind heels.
D.J. McInerney, rider of Anna Bunina (FR) trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount did not feel right after jumping the third last and he thought that he may have been struck into.
(GC & EM)
