Clay Pigeons strikes to ensure Mullins' success continues

Clay Pigeons and Brian Hayes win the James Lohan Engineering Excellence Maiden Hurdle. Pic: Healy Racing

In-form Willie Mullins struck with his only runner in Roscommon as Clay Pigeons justified 8/11 favouritism in the James Lohan Engineering Maiden Hurdle, the champion trainer’s twelfth winner in nine days.

Ridden by Brian Hayes, the Elusive Pimpernel, beaten at 4/11 on a trip to Fakenham last time, charted a wide course throughout before seeing off 125/1 shot Goeasyonme.

Patrick Mullins commented: “He needs good ground and Fakenham was probably the wrong track for him, on wrong ground.

“Brian gave him a great ride. He definitely jumped much better and was a lot sharper. There should be plenty of improvement to come, when he steps up in trip, maybe in Listowel.

“He’s won a point-to-point, two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, so he’s a fair horse. And he’ll go jumping fences next year.” 

Another successful favourite was the Eric McNamara-trained Tumbling In who proved a clear-cut winner of the opening Curragh To Curragh Cycle Maiden Hurdle, under Gary Noonan, asserting before the second to score by nine and a half lengths.

The 11/10 favourite delighted her trainer, who said: “She was a very nice mare to get. It’s a case of onwards and upwards with her and her jumping can get slicker. 

“She ran in a very strong maiden in Killarney and deserved her turn today. There are plenty of races for her – she’ll probably go for a two mile, six-furlong ‘novice’ in Killarney and on to the good ‘novice’ in Listowel.” 

Sean Flanagan admitted: “He made a mistake at the wrong time (the third last) but, in fairness, it was the first time he really battled,” after Barry Connell’s Hashtag Pretender opened his chasing account in the J F Hanley Groundscare Beginners Chase after a lengthy duel with Killeemore Lad.

The rider added: “He learned from the mistake and, rated 124, was entitled to win.” Phillip Enright completed a fine 71/1 double, initiated when She’ll Be Kept captured the DNG Ivan Connaughton Handicap Hurdle at the expense of Mavetherave, defying an 11lb. hike for her recent win in Ballinrobe.

“Her wind is not brilliant,” admitted McMahon. “So she needs a chance to breathe early in her races and find her feet. She’s going the right way, but has had two quick runs, so we might give her a little chance.” 

Enright doubled-up on board Oliver McKiernan’s Another Challenge, who got the better of Killarney winner Ladies Well in the Kepak Handicap Chase.

The trainer and rider were denied further success when One Way Traffic failed by a half-length to Il Silenzio in the Campbell’s Bar Ballinlough Handicap Chase.

Sent off 7/2 favourite, Il Silenzio was repeating last year’s win in the race, off a 6lb. higher mark, under in-form 7lb. claimer Conor Smithers. 

And his trainer Martin Brassil pointed out: ”He doesn’t have a bad mark over hurdles, so we have options.” 

And favourite-backers went home happy after the Henry de Bromhead-trained Lola O C (13/8), in the familiar colours of her breeder Philip Reynolds, delivered convincingly on her debut.