Man On The Nile completes memorable week for Brennan
The six-year-old was partnered by Mullins' son, Patrick, who was having his first ever spin over jumps. The youngster had most of this field covered from a fair way out, with Man On The Nile easing ahead over the second last and quickly stretching clear to beat Merry Star by five and a half lengths.
Commented Mullins senior: “Patrick doesn't have a licence to ride over hurdles and we had to get special permission from the Turf Club.
“This horse has had a few little problems, but I am delighed with that and he will mix it on the flat and over hurdles.”
Robbie McNamara, currently working for Dermot Weld, rode his third winner over flights with an ice-cool display aboard his father, Andrew's, Marguerita in the Charleville Handicap Hurdle.
He waited until well into the straight before launching his challenge, producing the mare to hit the front at the final flight. Morning-price gamble Missgoodytwoshoes was only fourth at the obstacle and then flew home, but was still a neck down at the line.
“I will look for a mile and a half flat race for her next and then she will mix it”, reported McNamara senior.
Shay Barry, who rode Apollo One in this race, was found guilty of careless riding and suspended for a day.
At Galway on Saturday Always The Groom bolted in over two miles and fully vindicated Pat Flynn's decision to turn him out again twenty four hours later in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap.
This is a horse rapidly on the upgrade and he did his job in style, finding plenty to sweep ahead inside the furlong pole and score by a snug length and a half.
“He's more than paid his way now and will get a break”, reported in-form Flynn.
“We will be kind to him now for a few weeks.”
Always the Groom was capably handled by Keith Maher and this was a sixth winner for him.
Aidan O'Brien's Chief Crazy Horse, who had shown plenty of promise on his debut at Naas, was always long odds-on to take the Mitchelstown Maiden. He coasted ahead more than a furlong down and was soon about a length and a half to the good and sure to win!
But the son of Dansili found nothing in the closing stages and Declan Gillespie's 20-1 shot Miss Donovan powered past.
She had been rested since finishing 14th of 16 behind Moone Cross on this track back in April, having been found to be clinically abnormal subsequently.
“We're not sure what was wrong, Mick (Kinane) just felt she wasn't right through the race”, said Gillespie.
“She was alright in half an hour.”
Miss Donovan is a half-sister to this year's Royal Ascot Coventry Stakes winner, Hellvelyn, and obviously has a future as a broodmare.
Top weight Musthav, down in class, having finished fourth behind the useful Chanting at Leopardstown, outclassed her rivals in the Navigation Road Nursery.
Partnered with patience by Billy Lee, the daughter of Fasliyev found a turn of foot over a furlong down to skip ahead and was soon three lengths to the good.
Welsh girl Amy Kathlesn Parsons (21) brought Zhukhov with impeccable timing to lead inside the furlong pole and win the corkracecourse.ie Handicap.
She is attached to Tom McCourt, who trains Zhukov, and this was her third winner.
The Maurice Phelan trained Aldaher Beebers surged ahead well over a furlong out to win the Bumper in impressive style in the hands of Roger Quinlan.
Khatimam was all the rage in the market, 7-4 to 11-10. He found little in the last two furlongs, however, trailing in a well beaten third.
