Kargese and Danny Mullins win the McCann FitzGerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle Grade 1 Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
Jockey Danny Mullins added to his win in the opening race at this years Dublin Racing Festival when completing a Grade 1 double aboard Kargese in the McCann Fitzgerald Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Similar to the first, Mullins once again partnered a (marginally) lesser fancied runner, with stable jockey Paul Townend on 9/4f Storm Heart However, in this instance, the winner was very much the horse for money, being strongly supported into 7/2 prior to the off.
In what was almost a carbon copy of his earlier win on Dancing City Mullins had Kargese well placed throughout, sitting in the front four from the off. He edged the Kenny Alexander owned filly closer to the pace entering the straight, heading the long time leader(and stablemate) Majborough on the run to the last.
Storm Heart stayed on strongly down the outside to get up for second close home, with the aforementioned Majborough holding third place.
Danny Mullins said: "A big part of that(success) is riding for the team I am. Again, there, Plan A was to make the running but that was out the window by the time I got around the first bend. I'd say Willie was watching me coming across the top wondering was the alarm clock going to go off!
"We got a good jump again at the second last to put us back where I wanted to be. I didn't want to use that petrol to get a position leaving the back, I wanted to use it to win."
Saddling a quick Grade 1 double, trainer Willie Mullins added: “She was too keen with Danny at Christmas.
“The plan today was to make the running and it just shows you that we don't even know what we're doing at this stage!
“Next thing Mark (Walsh) jumped out and made the running, his horse was galloping and Danny settled the filly in. She was much more settled today after blowing away the cobwebs at Christmas.
“Mark was very happy with Majborough and thinks he'll improve for that run. He gallops and jumps and he's more of a chaser to look at.
“Paul felt that Storm Heart probably got stuck in the ground and was a bit keen with him as well.
“I was delighted with the way Bunting stayed on from behind, he was doing his best work at the end and is improving as well.
“They all ran well today and have booked their tickets for the Triumph.
“It's going to be hard to beat Nicky Henderson's horse, Sir Gino. We have our work cut out with him.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
Paddy Powers went 5/1(from 10/1) Kargese for the Triumph Hurdle.
