No surprises as Mullins and Walsh enjoy Galway success

Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh got off the mark for this year's Festival as Tawaagg justified skinny odds in the William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle in Galway, and it did not take the trainer long to add to his tally.

Sent off the 4-5 favourite, Tawaagg was always travelling strongly in the hands of the champion jockey and eased away in the straight to score by five and a half lengths from No Stopping Sarah.

Mullins said: "He is improving all the time. I was a bit worried about the ground, but Tawaagg is getting stronger and handled it well.

"I will probably run him on the Flat at Killarney in three weeks' time."

Mullins went on to complete a double with Blackstairmountain justifying favouritism in the williamhill.com-casino (Q.R.) Maiden.

The 5-4 chance was given a confident ride by the trainer's son Patrick and cruised up to challenge Miss Chaparral for the lead halfway up the straight before gradually pulling away to score by four lengths.

Mullins senior added: "He goes out to grass now and I think he's a horse who we might see running in some of the better novice hurdles next winter.

"Hopefully, because he likes good ground, next spring I think this fellow could be very good."