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Review fairyhouse 22nd Feb
Westhorpe (Patrick Mullins) stretches out to take the finale at Fairyhouse
© Photo Healy Racing
< On His Own looks to have earned a step up in class after winning the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in impressive style on a day when Willie Mullins landed a four-timer.
The 10-year-old had been earmarked for the Aintree Grand National, in which he has fallen in the last two runnings, but the champion trainer may instead send him for the Bibby Gold Cup at Punchestown.
Sent off the 11-8 favourite after winning the Thyestes Chase last time, On His Own led just about all the way in the Grade Two contest and his superior jumping helped him to see off Mount Benbulben by 12 lengths in the hands of Ruby Walsh.
Mullins saddled three for the Grade Two Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle and two of them dominated the finish, with Abbyssial leading all the way to complete a hat-trick since arriving in Ireland from France.
Paul Townend rode the 11-4 winner, who always looked in control when challenged by Walsh's mount, the odds-on Adriana Des Mottes and passed the post with half a length to spare despite a bout of tail-swishing.
There were no problems for Walsh in the www.fairyhouse.ie For Special Offers Mares Maiden Hurdle as Mullins' 8-13 favourite Beluckyagain led approaching the last and stayed on well to score by two and a half lengths.
The four-timer came up when 13-8 favourite Westhorpe made a winning debut under Patrick Mullins in the Ian Smith Memorial INH Flat Race.
With Mullins' Kalmann an absentee the way was clear for Si C'Etait Vrai (1-2 favourite) in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase and Bryan Cooper had an armchair ride on Dessie Hughes's eight-year-old, who coasted in by 20 lengths.< Valmy Baie (6-1) looked to have plenty in hand when winning the attheraces.com Exclusive Barry Geraghty Blog Handicap Hurdle by two and a quarter lengths under Danny Mullins, and Warne (3-1) repeated last year's victory in the John McCarthy Memorial Hunters Chase, holding Seabass by a length and a quarter under Declan Lavery.