Seeing as he was bred by Maureen Mullins Kilcruit likely has a special place in the affections of the Closutton team. He has many more fans now too given the hugely impressive display he put up in the bumper at Leopardstown, to complete a four-timer at the Dublin Racing Festival for Willie Mullins.

This Grade Two Goffs Future Stars (C & G) INH Flat Race appeared to be a very well named heat, and though Kilcruit looked to be facing worthy opposition the market pointed strongly to him as the 11/10 market-leader.

The Stowaway gelding treated the only two others still in it in the straight, Letsbeclearaboutit and Ramillies with utter disdain in the hands of Patrick Mullins.

He eventually eased home by twelve lengths from Letsbeclearaboutit. The Mullins outfit also sent out Whatdeawant and Ramillies to take third and fifth.

Paddy Power go 7/4 favourite from 7/1 non runner no bet about Kilcruit for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. Sir Gerhard is 3/1 from 5/2.

“I thought Patrick had picked the wrong one, how wrong was I!” said Mullins, following on from his earlier Grade One successes with Gaillard Du Mesnil Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene under Paul Townend.

“I thought Ramillies put up a great performance here at Christmas. Patrick had huge confidence in this horse and now I can see why.

“My mother bred him, his granny, and he was particularly pleased to ride a winner for her and in the colours of Michael Masterson.

“It was a superb performance in what looked like a real good race.

“I was hoping he'd be a nice horse but I didn't think he had that sort of capability. That's unreal what he produced there.

“It's been fantasy racing today. Energumene, Chacun Pour Soi, Gaillard Du Mesnil, any trainer would like to have any one of them in his lifetime.

“It's been a superb day's racing. I was hoping we might get a winner or two and things have worked out really really well.”

(GC & EM)