Gitane Du Berlais at Limerick© Photo Healy Racing
With top-class hurdling form in the book Gitane Du Berlais debut over fences in the mares beginners' chase at Limerick was eagerly awaited and the filly didn't disappoint with a comprehensive victory.
The 4/7 favourite was in a different league to her nine rivals and drew clear with only Hell Cat Maggie able to set off in pursuit. The latter's race ended though when she fell at the last when around seven lengths in arrears (she was remounted to finish eighth).
Gitane Du Berlais made a blunder at that fence, but Danny Mullins swiftly recovered and the pair hit the line 18 lengths to the good.
Feenakilmeedy came through for second at 6/1. She was 12 lengths ahead of Railway Zira (10/1) in third.
When asked about the mistake at the last fence, Danny Mullins said: "It was just a case of getting from A to B over it.
"My biggest problem was pulling her up afterwards. For a four-year-old filly on heavy ground it was a good performance and I think she can go wherever she wants next."
This gave Willie Mullins an across-the-card double after Hurricane Fly won the Grade One Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown a quarter of an hour earlier.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
