Treble for Mullins as Costello gets a hand from above

A gamble on Sticktotheplan went astray, as Willie Mullins unleashed another smart prospect in the concluding Ian Smith Memorial (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Saddling two in this 10-runner contest, it was his lesser fancied Kaiser Ball who came out on top under Thomas Costello for his mother Marie.

A brother to Juby Ball, who is three from four for Evan Williams, the five-year-old victor didn't go unsupported and was returned at 11/2, having earlier touched 15/2.

Given a patient ride, the French bred son of Nom De D'la made progress on the outer with half a mile to race and travelled best to lead early in the straight.

Pushed along with over a furlong to go, he readily drew clear in the closing stages, easing to a seven and a half length win.

A runner-up at Navan last month, Eachtotheirown (9/2 from 13/8 early) again had to settle for the runner-up berth, while Arslan (9/4), the other Mullins representative, was two and a half lengths away in third.

Backed from early shows of 25/1, the aforementioned Sticktotheplan came in for sustained support and while eventually returned the 11/10 favourite, he could only manage a disappointing fifth.

"He just ducked at a gate and the saddle slipped (after the line). Luckily horse and rider are fine," Mullins, who was completing a treble, commented.

"He's always shown he's a nice horse at home. I didn't know which one was the best coming here today but I'm very happy with that fella.

"He can go wherever he wants now for a winners bumper.

"Ferny Hollow won this race and won at Cheltenham so he could go but we'll have a word with connections."

The winning rider added: "We bought him as a foal. Dad had him at the sales as a three-year-old and he thought an awful lot of him and wanted a good bit of money for him. We bought him back.

"He's a very high-class horse. His sister (Lili Ball) is a Grade 3 winner and was placed in a Grade 1.

"He jumps very well. We think an awful lot of him and we'll have to leave it to Willie what to do next.

"He shows an awful lot at home and we would have been very disappointed if he didn't run well.

"The last day he was due to run was in Thurles.

"We were going out to the gallop that day and Michael O'Sullivan was beside me. He said to me 'do you know what is the only thing that can get that horse beat today?'.

"I said 'what's that Michael' and he said 'yourself!'. That was the last conversation I had with him and it was a meaningful one. He gave me a hand today."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson