Mullins has another potential star in Lovethehigherlaw
The pair went toe-to-toe through the final furlong, with Patrick Mullins forcing Lovethehigherlaw up on the line to score by a short head.
“They are two fantastic horses and you would be proud to own either of them”, said Mullins.
“The race went according to plan and Patrick rode him with sheer confidence. He will be a smart horse next season, but probably not on real winter ground.”
Waaheb, carrying the J P McManus colours for the first time, lost nothing in defeat. He is only a four-year-old, goes on any ground and is a horse with a real future.
Patrick Mullins and Robbie McNamara, who rode Waaheb, were both found guilty of using their whips with excessive frequency and suspended for two days.
Ruby Walsh struck for first time this week when top weight Scotsirish completed a double for Willie Mullins in the Guinness Handicap Chase.
Mullins knew heading to the final fence he was virtually certain to be standing in the winner’s enclosure, with his Apt Approach leading Scotsirish.
Apt Approach, however, crashed out here and it was easy for Scotsirish after that.
David Pipe saddled his first winner in Ireland when Street Entertainer bounded away with the Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle.
The complexion of the contest changed three out when the front running — and heavily-backed — Empire Levant made a bad mistake.
He was always fighting a losing battle after that, as Tony McCoy, 37 yesterday, powered the winner clear heading to the last.
Commented Pipe: “It is great to come over here. The hospitality is fantastic and we always get well looked after by the Irish.
“We bought him cheaply at the horses in training sales at Chepstow. He will keep going and try the flat as well.”
The Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle looked wide open and it was no great surprise a 33-1 shot (75-1 on the Tote) popped up in the shape of the Colin Bowe-trained Askanna.
Partnered by amateur, Barry O’Neill, the daughter of Old Vic led over the second last and soon scampered clear to beat Mossey Joe.
Said Bowe: “She disappointed the last day (Limerick), but had a problem with her back. I’m delighted, Barry gave her a fine spin.
“She’s tiny, but brave, a great lady. It’s a nice pot, better than going round every Sunday at point-to-points! She has had a long season and will have a break now.”
Oneeightofamile made a mockery of the final of the Martinstown Opportunity Series Handicap Hurdle, shrugging off top weight to the tune of 12 lengths.
The capable David Splaine set him alight off the home turn and, though getting in tight to the final flight, it was soon a procession.
“I was hoping he had enough experience but, except for the last, jumped well”, reported winning trainer, John Kiely.
The layers ended their night with a screamer with 25-1 chance Golanbroook, despite hanging dramatically to his left on the run in, was a length and a half too good for market-leader, Alfred James.
Trained by Tom Foley and ridden by his son, Patrick, Golanbook carried the Dan O’Neill colours made famous by the great Danoli.
* The attendance was 17,261, marginally up on last year’s figure of 17,057.
