After a reverse with Conclave yesterday, the phenomenon of Willie Mullins winning with horses making their debut for the yard, got back on track in the John Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle at Galway. Strongly-backed favourite, Beroni benefited from a patient Ruby Walsh ride to take this contest by a couple of lengths, in the process bringing up a double for the rider. King Ali was sent on, as is the norm with him, from some way out, but he was reeled in from before the straight and Beroni led before the last. From there he stayed on well to account for Hotterthanjuly
Mullins said afterwards: "That was great. It was a nice opportunity for him. That was his maiden win over hurdles. I hope he doesn't get too much off the handicapper for that. He'll either go for a winners race or another handicap. He looks well enough handicapped. He has an entry in the Hennessy in Newbury and I wouldn't be worried about the trip at all there."
Beroni came to the Closutton outfit from Michael O'Brien having begun his career with Mag Mullins. Knocknabooly is another horse to have carried the same colours, those of Mrs Margaret O'Rourke and he competed with success for Willie Mullins in the past.
