A fine leap at the last from The Bosses Cousin© Photo Healy Racing
Of course Ballylinch Stud have recently got Beat Hollow on their roster to replace King's Theatre and that deceased stallion gave another reminder of his prowess when The Bosses Cousin easily landed the Corporate Hospitality At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle on his hurdling bow.
Patrick Mullins sported the silks of his mother Jackie on this seven-year-old and he went out and made all on the favourite. He pecked at the back of the second hurdle and gave his supporters a real scare but from before the last Patrick was sitting pretty and when he asked his mount to extend on the run-in he did so in style to beat Shannon Spirit (6s into 7/2) by two and a quarter lengths with the similarly well-backed Hidden Future (7/2 into 9/4) a further length and a half back in third.
Willie Mullins said: "He did it the hard way on his first run (over hurdles) out in front. He's not bred to go on that ground and he'll improve for drier ground.
"We'll keep him novice hurdling. He's a brilliant horse to school at home so Patrick didn't mind going on as he's a natural jumper.
"He just made a novicey mistake at the second and they were lucky to stay together."
Ruby Walsh explained in today's Irish Examiner: "My wife, Gillian, is related to Willie and this horse is called after her, but they still won't let me ride him! Anyway, The Bosses Cousin has schooled quite nicely."
Walsh gave The Bosses Nephew the seal of approval as he napped the 5/4 shot in the Ruby's Best Bets section.
Stan James go 33s from 50s The Bosses Cousin for the Neptune and the Albert Bartlett.
The Stewards requested a report from Mr WF Codd, trainer of The Amarillo Kid placed fourth, regarding the apparent improvement in form of his charge compared with his previous couple of runs and in particular his last run over hurdles at Leoprdstown on 28-1-12, where he finished 10th of 11 runners, beaten 79 lengths.
Mr Codd reported that his second last run was in a Grade 2 bumper in Navan, where he travelled well to the turn in, but got very tired and was eased home. He stated he was very disappointed on his next start at Leopardstown, which was his first run over hurdles. He said he had him dropped in, and that he jumped the first 2 hurdles slowly and never really got competitive after. He said nothing untoward showed up after the race. Today, he instructed that the horse be ridden more positively, giving him lots of light at his hurdles and he travelled much better today.
The change in tactics may have brought about any apparent improvement.
Having considered the report, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
(GC & EM)
