Valerian Bridge is ridden out by Patrick Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
Valerian Bridge justified odds-on favouritism as he took the last at Down Royal, the Archie Watson Memorial INH Flat Race, providing his trainer Willie Mullins with a double on the card (earlier won with Morning Run .
The Gigginstown House Stud owned five-year-old is now unbeaten in three starts having won on his debut at Cork in August before following up at Tipperary earlier this month.
Sent off a 4/5 chance today, despite having to concede weight all around, he raced in second for much of the contest.
He came with his challenge from two furlongs out and he soon hit the front, keeping on well under pressure inside the final furlong, going on to score by a length and three parts under Patrick Mullins. Snow Falcon finished second at 3/1 under Nina Carberry for Noel Meade while The Way It Works was a further length and three parts back in third under Roger Quinlan for Mark McNiff at 9/1.
Willie Mullins said afterwards: "He has improved and improved all season. He has improved more than we thought he would.
"I'm not sure if he'll go for a fourth bumper. I'm not sure whether he'll handle real winter ground. We'll see whether he goes novice hurdling or whether we keep his novice status for next year."
STEWARDS REPORTS
Mr R. Deegan, rider of Master Vinnie, trained by Neil McKnight, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount suffered an over-reach in this race
Additional reporting Michael Graham
