Quevega has World at her feet

Willie Mullins is highly likely to stick to a tried and tested route with Quevega next year after the incredible mare landed her third Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at Punchestown.

The lightly-raced eight-year-old is seen on a racecourse only fleetingly – but when she does turn up she is usually the star turn.

On the back of winning her fourth successive David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, Quevega stretched her unbeaten run to six in the three-mile Grade One contest.

Billed as a match between the eventual winner and Colm Murphy’s Voler La Vedette, who pushed Big Buck’s so close at Cheltenham, the race lived up to all expectations, despite being run in driving rain.

The two big guns arrived late on the scene still on the bridle as Mourad took over from the pacesetters turning into the straight.

As has been the case whenever they have met before, however, Quevega just had that extra change of gear when Ruby Walsh pressed the button, and the 11-10 favourite sprinted clear to win by five and a half lengths, giving Mullins a seventh winner of the week.

Mullins said: “Obviously Voler La Vedette was in some form and had great form coming into the race so I was quite worried, but she did the business.

“She did what Ruby asked her and when push came to shove she still had plenty left in the tank.

“It was a fantastic performance and a great ride by Ruby, too. She came in season last week but came out of it quick enough.

“We’ve taken her to Auteuil once or twice, but I’m not sure, we’ll see how she comes out of this.”

Asked if he could be tempted to clash with Big Buck’s, Mullins said: “As long as he gets an entry in the mares’ race at Cheltenham! But seriously I think we will just do the same next season and why change?

“The plan we follow with Quevega works fantastically well. We always try to get her ready for Cheltenham with a month to spare so if anyone thing does go wrong we have her fairly fit.

“I’m going to keep it simple and I suppose we might meet Big Buck’s somewhere away from Cheltenham, but I wouldn’t really want to miss this race to go to Aintree.”

Mullins was also on the mark with Uncle Junior in the Avon Ri Corporate & Leisure Resort Chase for the La Touche Cup.

Given a patient ride by his son Patrick, Uncle Junior still had plenty to do when the field got back on the the racecourse proper, especially under top weight of 12st 7lb.

There were not many casualties over the unique banks course but Outlaw Pete was still in with a chance when he unseated Josh Halley at ’Ruby’s Double’ for the third and final time.

That left 25-1 chance Lydon House in front and he appeared to have the race won, but Uncle Junior (6-1 co-favourite) was making relentless progress after the last and got up in the final stride.

Mullins said: “I’d written him off about three different times in the race and I thought it was an extraordinary performance for him to carry 12st 7lb on ground he didn’t like.”

Tofino Bay handled the desperate conditions best as he made just about every yard of the running in the Stephens Green Hibernian Club Hurdle.

Trained by Dessie Hughes, the lightly-raced nine-year-old has been consistent without getting his head in front this season.

The 5-2 chance held on to win by two and a quarter lengths under champion-elect Davy Russell and is set to go chasing next season.