Mr Nicolls (centre) and Danny Mullins winning the opening maiden hurdle at Clonmel© Photo Healy Racing
The father and son team of Tony and Danny Mullins struck in the opener at Clonmel as Mr Nicolls sprang a 14/1 surprise on debut in the Laganore Maiden Hurdle. Creative Talent was expected to take this two miles event but was a beaten favourite for the third successive time as the 11/10 market leader found little for Ruby Walsh after appearing to go best at the penultimate flight.
Mr Nicolls took it up at this point under Danny Mullins, who enjoying a great run and currently is second in the jump jockey’s championship on the 29 winner mark behind the sidelined clear leader Jack Kennedy.
The Oscar gelding kept on under pressure on the run-in to beat Light That who finished well to get within half a length at the line.
Creative Talent was a further length and a half back in third.
Tony Mullins said, "He can be a little excitable and I thought an education over hurdles would be great for him. He has serious ability but I just thought he mightn't be man enough for today.
"He has a future and thought today would teach him a bit and he would go back for a bumper but that is scuppered now. I'm delighted to get the win though and he is a horse of natural ability.
"He definitely handles good ground but we're not sure and can't say if he'll handle soft ground yet. Danny is riding fantastically well at the moment."
(TW & AM)
