Fabulous Saga (red) comes back to tackle Burren Life at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Fabulous Saga produced a determined display to register his second successive Graded success in the feature at Limerick this afternoon, the Guinness Novice Hurdle.
Having impressed at Cork last time out, the Willie Mullins trained son of Saint Des Saints was sent off an 8/13 chance for this Grade 2 contest.
Sent straight to the front by Danny Mullins, the bay five-year-old was pressed and headed by Burren Life on the run to the second last.
He looked a spent force when ridden after that flight, however he battled back gamely and regained the lead on the run-in, going on to score by three and three parts of a length. Delta Work (8/1) came through to take second under Bryan Cooper for Gordon Elliott, while Burren Life, who hit the front before two out, faded back to third.
Danny Mullins, who was completing a double at Limerick, said afterwards: "It was a good tough performance.
"I knew they weren't going to let me off like they did in Cork but you have to give credit to the horse. He looked set for second maybe even third but put his head down and galloped like a good horse.
"This race has a fair reputation going on to the Festival in Cheltenham. I don't know how good he's going to be but you can't fault him on what he's done so far."
Fabulous Saga was providing Willie Mullins with his third success of the day, following on from Kate Appleby Shoes and Let's Dance
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Burren Life trained by Gordon Elliott was found to have lost its right fore shoe post race.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Minella Fair trained by Noel Meade was found to have a wound on its right hind pastern post race.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
