Inish Island (left) leads Venture Capital at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Inish Island made it three from three on the card for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh when running out a cosy winner of the Grade 3 Surehaul Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle at Clonmel.
Walsh settled his mount in rear in the 2m6f contest and moved up to take closer order before the turn.
Going to the second last Venture Capital and Inish Island were locked together but the later was always travelling better.
The 11/10 favourite was shaken up to assert after the last and soon put matters to bed, going on for a cosy two-length success.
It was the winners third start for Mullins, having landed a Downpatrick maiden hurdle in November before finishing a fine second in handicap company at Cheltenham in December.
The winner then, At Fishers Cross, has franked that form since with a Grade 2 victory at Cheltenham last month.
“He's improving all the time,” said Mullins afterwards.
“He's already shown good form at Cheltenham and we'll have to consider the Albert Bartlett. We'll have a chat with the owners and see what they want to do.”
Paddy Power cut the winner to 14/1 from 25/1 for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, while Stan James go 16/1 (also from 25's).
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
