The opening session of the six-day Tralee Festival got underway in low key fashion yesterday but for veteran Goresbridge trainer Paddy Mullins the afternoon proved profitable when he completed a double highlighted by the victory of Bob What in the featured Patsy Byrne Handicap Hurdle.
Partnered by Robert Power, son of former Irish show jumping star Con Power, the 7/1 shot prevailed by the minimum margin in a thrilling three-way blanket finish at the expense of a gallant Chanoud and Take Flite with market leader Touch Of Love only seventh.
Paddy Mullins nominated a career over fences next for the eight-year-old, who was unlucky to slip up approaching the two-furlong pole with victory seemingly at his mercy in a Tramore two-mile handicap on the level last time.
'Someone said to me earlier today that this horse has disappointed - I wonder if he is still saying that now!' beamed the quietly spoken Mullins, who earlier initiated a 28/1 brace in the opener with newcomer Vintage Tipple.
Dermot Weld, whose helicopter was forced to land due to poor visibility en route to the track, saddled La Stellina to win the five furlong handicap when Pat Smullen produced the filly with a perfectly timed run in the straight to score at odds of 10/1.
'My son Chris and I along with David Evans were in the helicopter when the visibility deteriorated and we were forced to land. We did so in a field outside Ballylongford (25 miles away) and the owner, farmer Tim McEllistrim, very kindly drove us to the meeting in his jeep,' revealed the relieved Rosewell House boss.
'We were out on grass for a few years,' joked Fethard trainer Willie Browne after Mick Kinane produced top-weight Premier View with a blistering late surge to pip The Flying Pig and Colm O'Donoghue in the final stride of the second division of the Tankard Bar & Restaurant Handicap, Browne's first winner since Mighty Trust obliged at Kilbeggan in June 1996.
Punters had to wait until the fourth contest for the first favourite to land the spoils when DB My Son, backed from 6/1 to 4/1 carried the colours of Dublin businessman Austin Brady to victory in the beginners chase. 'He's a good ground horse and jumps well and he'll possibly run next at Down Royal next month,' said winning trainer Victor Bowens.
The layers suffered a similar setback in the handicap chase when Donie Hassett's Loughbeg Rambler justified strong support from 5/1 to 7/2 when scoring easily under promising claimer Keith Hadnett.
John Murtagh, successful in the opener aboard Vintage Tipple, completed a double in the finale when he teamed up with Sharena to pip market rival Striking Pose.
* The Stable Lads Association lodged a complaint that there was no hot food available in the stable yard contrary to the agreement with the licensing committee and the racecourse.
Evidence was heard from Timothy Griffin, Manager of Tralee racecourse and Chairman Richard Chute after which they both assured hot food would be 'provided for the stable staff forthwith'.
