Theophilus and Danny Mullins at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from Fiscal Focus winning at 33/1 in yesterday's Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown, trainer Des McDonogh supplied Theophilus to land the opening three-year-old maiden hurdle today.
The heavy ground was never an issue for the son of Teofilo who won a flat maiden for Jim Bolger on very testing going at Gowran Park.
Danny Mullins sported the colours of Jackie Bolger and always had the colt in the van behind odds-on favourite Buiseness Sivola and Drop The Subject who cut out the pace.
Mullins switched him out and sent him about his business on the home turn. Once negotiating the last he was kept up to his work to score by six-and-a-half-lengths at 4/1, having been 8/1 this morning.
Buiseness Sivola the 8/15 favourite folded once headed on the home bend and had no more to give in coming home fifth. He had been well supported from evens before racing. Hostile Fire (25/1) got up to pip 14/1 shot Battle Hymn for second.
Des McDonogh said: "He got a superb ride from Danny. He was idling a bit in front and will be better in a better race. At the moment the two of them (including Fiscal Focus) will be aimed at the Triumph.
"Fiscal Focus is different gravy. I must say I am in awe of him. I may need a double horse-box now for Cheltenham!"
Paddy Power introduced Theophilus at 20/1 for Triumph Hurdle.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
