Passageway makes his move from fifth in the bumper© Photo Healy Racing
Despite dominating this year's Punchestown Festival, Passageway s victory in the concluding bumper appeared to surprise champion trainer Willie Mullins.
The five-year-old gelding had finished fourth and second in a couple of point-to-points for Pat Doyle and was making his racecourse debut for Mullins.
Patrick Mullins made his move approaching the home straight and his mount swept into the lead flashing past the furlong pole.
The 7/2 joint favourite then drew clear by three and three quarter lengths. City Island (33/1) outran his odds in second, a length and a half in front of Minella Indo at 8/1.
Willie Mullins said: "I hadn't asked him much at home to be honest. He had a little training setback and I told our owner that he would maybe run in May but he did enough to show he could run here.
"I didn't dream he would win so it was a nice surprise for the connections and for me."
