McManus, Walsh & Mullins bag Naas doubles J.P. McManus and Mark Walsh combined successfully for doubles at Naas today with Elixir D'ainay's win in the Cavan Developments Supporting St Marys Maiden Hurdle as winning trainer Willie Mullins himself was registering a third success across two continents on the day. The son of Muntathir made most of the running and eventually fended off the persistent challenge of Longhouse Poet on the run-in when registering a length and three parts success. Mullins was in Australia for his True Self's 3.10am success in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a handicap race, at Flemington and then sent out Cilaos Emery to win the 1.05pm Grade 3 chase at Naas. Following Elixir D'ainay's race McManus' racing manager Frank Berry, also on hand for the earlier winner and Mark Walsh-steered Kilfenora, stated “he (Elixir D'ainay) jumped away nice and liked the ground. The first two have come a nice bit clear so I’d say it was a fair maiden hurdle. “Mark said he loves the conditions and he jumps well. You couldn’t have asked for much better and we’ll find a novice for him down the road.” Paddy Power and Betfair later introduced Elixir D'ainay at 16/1 for the Ballymore Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. Quotes from Alan Magee
