Arkwrisht & Walsh spring surprise in feature Arkwrisht turned the tables on Westend Star as he sprang a surprise in the feature at Clonmel, the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle. The Willie Mullins trained son of Lavirco easily won his maiden hurdle at Tramore in December but proved no match for Westend Star at Thurles last month, going down by seven and a half lengths. Sent off a 12/1 chance today he was settled towards rear, improving to take closer order with a circuit to race. He made a decisive move to the front after the fourth last and went a few lengths clear, keeping on well in the straight to score by two and a half lengths. Westend Star, who proved easy to back (6/4 last night and from 11/4 to 10/3 on-course), kept on well after the last but couldn't reel in the winner and had to settle for second under Luke Dempsey for Gordon Elliott. Stone Hard, who is also trained by Willie Mullins, was the gamble of the race. He was 7/1 last night with Paddy Power but opened on-course at just 10/3 before going off the clear favourite at 9/4. He travelled well in second approaching the straight but found very little off the bridle and finished a distant fourth. Willie Mullins, completing a double with owners Gigginstown after claiming the first with Fire In Soul, said afterwards: "He didn't jump great but he stays all day and is improving with every run. "He could go for the Purcell Hurdle at Thurles or maybe the Albert Barlett. It would be an extra quarter mile but that was like three miles on the ground. I’m very happy with him. "I was very disappointed with Stone Hard. He had worked well during the week but its back to the drawing board with him." Willie Mullins was winning this race for the fourth year in-a-row having won it with Inish Island in 2013, Don Poli in 2014 and Roi Des Francs twelve months ago. STEWARDS REPORTS * The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Last Encounter, trained by Ms Margaret Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Stone Hard, trained by W.P. Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be abnormal post race. * B.J. Cooper, rider of Stone Hard trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount stopped quickly. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
