Willie Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Baby Kate s second wind reaped a full dividend as she ran on well to land the mares' maiden hurdle at Naas.
The 4/1 shot, who traded as big as 200/1 in-running, looked booked for third when Qualimita and Karoline Banbou went away from her at the furlong pole after the trio had negotiated the final flight.
Baby Kate's stablemate, French-recruit Karoline Banbou who had excellent form in her native land, just got the better of Qualimita in the closing stages, however, the front two began to tread water.
Baby Kate got a sniff of victory on hurdle debut and was switched out by Brian Hayes to stay on well to cut them both down. She won going away by a length and a-quarter from 1/2 favourite Karoline Banbou. Belle The Tigress (14/1) surged home for third, a further half length back.
This gave Willie Mullins a double on the card and he said: "That was great - she looked beaten, but once she pulled out and got daylight, Brian said she just got her second wind and away with her.
“I'm very pleased with her because I think the other mare (Karoline Banbou) is good, two nice mares first and second.
“At this stage of the year, everything has to step up into graded company. There's not much left, but it'll be after the New Year.”
Paddy Power cut Baby Kate from 20/1 to 14/1 for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Mullins also saddled Lecky Watson to land the opening beginners' chase.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
