Fleur Au Fusil and Jody Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Champion trainer Willie Mullins completed a Naas treble today as apparent second-string Fleur Au Fusil ran out the well-backed winner of the concluding BetVictor EBF (M) (Pro-Am) INH Bumper, under jockey Jody Townend.
Mullins' uneasy morning-favourite Shaving (11/8 — 9/4) debuted under Patrick Mullins but faded to finish eighth but, in contrast, fellow newcomer Fleur Au Fusil (11/2 — 100/30) quickened smartly away from 18 rivals to score easily, from runner-up Lady Bluebird
The winner carries the colours of singer Paddy Reilly, with jockey Townend reporting “I had her covered up but when we turned away from the stands she got a bit of light and got a run on me but to be fair to her she kept pulling out all the way to the line. It was a good performance.
“She’s a big mare and she probably wanted all the time she got. She’s one to look forward to.”
Mullins' earlier winners today were with chasers Dinoblue and Grangelcare West although his dual-Cheltenham winner Sir Gerhard also took in a fall during the afternoon.
Quotes from Alan Magee
