Dead-heat in Punchestown opener Champion Trainer Willie Mullins was expected to maintain his winning ways in the opening Eadestown GAA & Parish Fair Maiden Hurdle at Punchestown today with 1/5 shot Allure Of Illusion, but connections had to settle for a dead-heat with the Paul Nolan trained 13/2 chance King Vuvuzela. Allure Of Illusion, an unlucky loser at the venue last month, slightly ‘fiddled’ his way over the final three flights and jockey Ruby Walsh was made work hard late on the run-in to pass the line alongside King Vuvuzela, who was staying on well under Robbie Power. Allure Of Illusion but did have luck on his side though as he was announced the dead-heater along with King Vuvuzela. Willie Mullins was not immediately available for comment but Paul Nolan did report “King Vuvuzela won his bumper and it turned out to be a decent race. “He disappointed on his first couple of runs over hurdles and wasn’t right early in the season as he had ringworm. Thankfully he is back to form and should come on for that and improve on nicer ground. “He’s a lovely actioned horse and hopefully will improve enough to run in some of the nicer novice races for the rest of the season. We weren’t expecting to beat Allure Of Illusion coming here today but he stays well and will be sharper the next day. He is from a staying family and is out of a sister to Comply Or Die.” Stan James bookmakers subsequently Allure Of Illusion 33/1 (from 25s) for Supreme Novices Hurdle. Later in the day, Mullins reported of Allure Of Illusion "he made hard work of it and ran very free. He needed the experience but it was a bit of a gamble to come here on that ground, over that trip. However, we needed to get a run into him."
