Royal Caviar and Ruby Walsh© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins completed a short-priced treble at Thurles but unlike his stable-mates Royal Caviar was all out to get the job done in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh, notching a double, tracked the leaders on the even-money shot before producing him to challenge at the second last in the two-miler.
Stable-mate Haymount proved a tough nut in front, however, and Walsh had to be at his strongest to get Royal Caviar up on the run-in.
Rich Ricci's gelding, sporting a hood for the first time, got home by half a length in the end.
The Vinnie Roe gelding had some smart bumper form and was runner-up on his two outings over hurdles last season.
"The previous year's experience won it for him but he improved nicely. We'll look for a novice hurdle next but will look for one down the country rather than up!" said Mullins.
Regarding Haymount "I thought he was quite unlucky but he can go up in trip and we'll look for a maiden over Christmas."
(Quotes by Thomas Weekes)
