Financial Reward gives Mullins first success of Flat campaign
Davy Condon had him in front with less than half a mile to run and the Fruits Of Love colt kept going well to hold Boulavogue.
Said Mullins: “I hope he will jump a hurdle one day, but the owners won't let me geld him, so maybe they have something else in mind!”
Mullins completed a mixed double when Ruby Walsh guided Connaught Hall to a six lengths victory in the Ballyduff Mares Hurdle.
Despite a marked tendency to jump to her right, the daughter of Un Desperado made most, shrugging off the persistent Haydens First going to the home turn.
Commented Mullins: “She seems to be improving with the sun on her back. We will try and find a winners of two now. It would be better if it was right-handed, but we'll take what comes.”
Jim Bolger's Simonetta went off market-leader for the Croom House Stud Maiden, duly did the business and then survived a stewards' inquiry.
Kevin Manning did a fine job on the filly, having her out quickly and soon in front from an unfavourable wide draw.
She tended to hang towards the stands side in the closing stages, however, finally getting the best of the battle to beat Vision Of Grandeur a short head. An inquiry was inevitable.
Though she certainly appeared to intimidate the second, Manning had his whip in the correct hand (his right) and did everything in his power to keep her straight. The stewards allowed the result to stand and few would quibble with the decision.
The E.R.A Horgan Properties Chase looked a match between Vic Ville and Randwick Roar and that's exactly how it developed.
Punters much preferred Randwick Roar in the ring, but got it completely wrong. Vic Ville was soon in front and the favourite wasn't able to muster a lot of enthusiasm once erring five out.
Commented trainer, Michael Hourigan: “He seemed to like the ground, I've been a year and a half trying to get him to win over fences. He was supposed to go out on grass tomorrow, but I don't think that will be happening now.”
Andrew McNamara partnered Vic Ville and he completed a double when Helensburgh defied top weight in the Jackie and Gene Handicap Hurdle.
Helensburgh is trained by Pat Hughes and this was his first winner since Point Barrow landed the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.
McNamara was seen to good effect, bringing the five-year-old with a sweeping late challenge to beat Threequarter Moon.
Said Hughes: “I told him to try new tactics and hold the horse up. But he's still not jumping and missed out a few.”
It was the first win the pilot has enjoyed for Hughes. “It is only the second time I have ridden for Pat”, reported McNamara. “I did 9-11 for him in the GPT at Galway about four years ago.”
Kinger Rocks, backed from 9-10 to 8-11, toyed with the opposition on the way to winning the Kingdom Race over a mile and a six.
She was pulling double over her rivals from a long way out, cruising ahead two furlongs out for Nina Carberry to score hard held. Trainer, Dermot Weld, wasn't at the meeting, but it wouldn't take any great genius to work out Ballybrit will loom large on the horizon for Kinger Rocks.
The Willie Austin trained Puline's analysis easily won the Feale Handicap in the hands of Billy Lee.
She came with a smoooth challenge to lead over a furlong down and soon scampered clear, scoring by an unflattering three lengths.
