Sadlers Wings staked his claim as a serious contender for novice hurdle honours at the up-coming Cheltenham Festival when easily justifying odds-on support in the Bar-One Racing Hurdle at Navan.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old cruised past Zum See between the final two flights, and stretched clear on the run-in with Ruby Walsh hardly moving a muscle to score by an impressive 13 lengths. Tuppenny Cody set a strong pace until crashing out when holding a clear lead at the fourth last.
'I'm delighted with that, and I doubt if he'll have another run between now and Cheltenham. He's entered in both novice hurdles and, while I'm leaning towards the Royal & SunAlliance, I could change my mind at the last moment,' said Mullins.
He added, 'I was a bit worried that he might be a little short of work today as he was all wrong with that bug around Christmas.'
Paddy Power (7/1) and Ladbrokes (8/1) both cut his Royal & SunAlliance odds from pre-race quotes of 12/1.
The Mullins/Walsh team were completing a quick double having earlier taken the two miles maiden hurdle with Ultimate Accolade. The eight-year-old gelding led approaching the last but needed to be driven right out by Walsh to hold the renewed effort of market rival Deanery Nellie by a neck.
'That was a long time coming as I thought he was better than Davenport Milenium when the pair came to me first. He will go for a winners race and, the way he jumps, he'll have no trouble going over fences,' said Mullins.
Wirey, owned by Irish Field correspondent Margie McCloone, provided Oliver Casey, son of winning trainer Peter, with his first winner over hurdles when prominent throughout in the handicap hurdle. The well-backed 8/1 chance kept on gamely on the far rail to beat Monteepa by three quarters of a length, while the 11/10 favourite Supreme Peace was let down by some poor jumping and weakened after two out to finish sixth.
Shay Barry successfully deputised for Ken Whelan, who injured his wrist when taking a fall in the opener, aboard Its Over in the handicap chase. The Iggy Madden-trained former winning point-to-pointer made steady headway to lead before the last for a three quarter length verdict over Verchoyles Lad.
Dantes Reef benefited from the exit of Oh Be The Hokey at the second last to land the beginners chase, quickening nicely for Davy Russell in the closing stages to beat Atlantic Rhapsody by nine lengths.
Alan Magee
