Bon Viveur too good for Youneedabitofluck and Khmer at Tramore
Bon Viveur and Patrick Mullins win the 2026 Annual Badge At Tramore Racecourse Maiden Hurdle. Pic:Healy Racing.
Beaten in his only previous start, in a Navan bumper, the Willie Mullins-trained Bon Viveur opened his hurdling account in the opening 2026 Annual Badge At Tramore Maiden Hurdle in Tramore.
In the colours of Jackie Mullins, the Flemensfirth gelding saw off Youneedabitofluck by four lengths, with favourite Khmer back in third.
Winning rider Patrick Mullins commented: “I was cursing when the hurdles were taken out because he jumps very well, but he was good.
"Tom Cooper’s horse set a fair form standard, so it was a fair effort. He should improve from today. He’s for sale, but jumping fences is what I’m looking forward to with him.”
In double form over in Kempton on Monday, Emmet Mullins and Donagh Meyler struck again when Barra Rua, winner of her bumper on this track last month, captured the New Year Discount Tickets Mares Maiden Hurdle, beating Closutton mare and favourite Mahon Falls by eight lengths.
The winning trainer was represented by his partner Maxine O’Sullivan, who explained: “I won on here last month, but it looked easier for her today. Donagh said she enjoyed the ground and won well.
"It’s been a great couple of days for her owners (the Seven Heads Group Syndicate), a winner in Kempton yesterday and now this. They knock great sport out of their horses.”
O’Sullivan was back in the winner’s enclosure after partnering Noel Meade’s Susie Lenglen to victory in the mares bumper, outpointing Lilannbee by a half-length.
“Noel said she wanted a strong pace, so the way the race panned out wasn’t ideal. But she’s a lovely mare.
"I’ve ridden winners for Noel before and it’s always great to ride for him. I have two winners left in my 5lb. claim.”
Well-known in the point-to-point field, James Hannon savoured his first success as a trainer when Bigbraveboy (J J Slevin) got the better of Toor Moon in the Ladies Cove Handicap Chase.
“I got the licence in September and I have just the two horses, for a bit of sport. This fellow is a grand horse and needs proper soft ground. He gallops and stays and jumps great – he gave J J a great spin.
"(Owner) Ray Fitzgerald is a good supporter of mine and we’re good friends. He has a few horses with me for point-to-points.”
Trained locally by John Flavin, Aclass defied top-weight in the 2026 Group Package Deals Handicap Chase, outpointing Mount Shenshan.
Aclass was ridden by 7lb. claiming amateur Jordan Canavan, recently returned from America.
Flavin commented: “It wasn’t a strong beginners chase, but he’s a very good jumper and, hopefully, this will give him confidence.”
Better known as a chaser, the Colin Motherway-trained mare Pebble Bleu proved best in a tremendous tussle for the Book A Table For New Years Mares Handicap Hurdle.
The grey, ridden by Michael Kenneally, got home by a head and the same from Miss Lia and Cousin Kate, whose trainer/rider Denis Hogan received a three-day whip ban.
