Bob takes Naas opener

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh continued their fine recent run of form when they combined to win the Annual Membership At Naas Maiden Hurdle with Our Bob.

Mullins saddled a double at Cork on Saturday while Walsh bagged a trio of winners at Sandown for Paul Nicholls.

A winner of one of his previous six races, Our Bob was sent off the 100-30 second-favourite and despite some sketchy hurdling, he came home four and a half lengths clear of Deal Maker, with Step Outside in third.

Once again, Dermot Weld’s Bellamy Cay, smart on the flat for Andre Fabre, was disappointing.

Mullins said of the winner: “He’ll stay novice hurdling this season.

“On that performance he is crying out for fences. In the spring he will enjoy the better ground, I wouldn’t say he goes on that (soft) at all.”