THE last major prize of the season, the €100,000 Ballymore Handicap Hurdle, went to Willie Mullins as Mr Adjudicator defied top-weight to give Patrick Mullins his second win in this race.

The champion trainer fielded 10 runners and his team wiped the floor with their rivals, filling the first four positions.

For his part Mr Adjudicator had struggled to recapture the form of his fine juvenile season and he pulled up at Fairyhouse the previous week when he was reluctant to race.

The 20/1 shot appeared to have it all to do under top-weight but he showed that the ability he displayed throughout last season still burns brightly.

The David Bobbett-owned gelding made a mistake at the last when challenging but he recovered well to give more than two stone and a three parts of a length beating to his stablemate Contingency.

“That was a good performance for a five-year-old off that weight and he picked up well despite making that mistake at the last,” reported Mullins. “I’m pleased for Mr Bobbett as we’ve had no luck for him this season. This horse will probably be a bit high for a Galway Hurdle but he will definitely go back on the flat.”

RED HOT FORM

Declan Queally’s string have been in red-hot form lately and he made it five winners from his last 12 runners as Cloudy Morning (11/1) made his light weight count in the BoyleSports Handicap Chase over just short of four miles.

Now a winner of his last three starts and no worse than second in five outings since switching from the point-to-point field, Cloudy Morning was giving young rider Sean O’Keeffe a welcome change of luck as this was his first success since he recently returned from a three-month injury-enforced layoff.

Cloud Morning relished every yard of this trip and, coming to the second last, he was being pursued by Regal Encore and C’est Jersey. The latter fell there and then Regal Encore had no answer as the Michael O’Donovan-owned 11-year-old surged clear to score by 18 lengths.

“I’m surprised and thrilled. To have a winner here is great and to win a pot like this is unbelievable. The handicapper will probably have his say now but it doesn’t matter after he’s won a pot like this,” reflected Queally.

“His light weight and Sean’s 7lb claim over this trip was always going to be a huge help. He’s by Cloudings, who stay well, and his grandam is a half-sister to a Grand National winner, so there was a fair chance that he would stay on pedigree.”

On the final day of by far his best season Henry de Bromhead got amongst the winners as Heron Heights repeated last year’s success in the Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase.

In the colours of Minella Indo’s owner Barry Maloney, Heron Heights (12/1) was partnered by Davy Russell who was replacing Rachael Blackmore. Young Paddymc was in front when he came down at the second last which threw the race wide open. Onefortheroadtom then blundered at the final fence was still holding every chance and this allowed Heron Heights to carry the day by six and a half lengths.

“We had done as much we could with him at home but I didn’t know if he had enough done to win. He came here in great form and is a good horse fresh and I’d say he will probably stay going for the summer,” reported the trainer.

After kicking off the week with a victory in the Ladies Cup, Blue Templar (11/4) became the only horse to win twice at this year’s meeting as he accounted for stablemate Josies Orders who was conceding 9lb.

Ray Barron, who partnered the J.P. McManus-owned eight-year-old to victory in the opening race of the meeting, was again on board Enda Bolger’s charge who showed a good attitude to first see off Ballinasilla before then holding Josies Orders by three parts of a length.

“It’s good for Ray. He works hard at home riding a lot of the young horses and getting them going and this is his reward,” declared Bolger. “He loves this ground and excels over the banks. Hopefully we’ll have him for the La Touche next year.”

Gordon Elliott unveiled a mare of promise for the coming seasons in Ard Abhainn who defeated the geldings in the K Club Hotel & Resort (Pro/Am) Flat Race for newcomers.

The daughter of Jeremy, who was picked up for £80,000 at Cheltenham after a winning debut in a Lingstown point-to-point, was produced with a strong challenge by Lisa O’Neill from the turn-in to defeat the favourite Tactical Move by a length and a quarter.

“She’s a nice filly and came well recommended by Bernie Murphy, who trained her, and Jamie Codd. I’d say we will put her by for the mares’ listed bumper at Gowran in early October,” reported Elliott who trains the winner for Maura Gittins.

The Festival drew to its traditional close with the long-running charity race where victory went to Kate Kelly who partnered Keith Watson’s Manomine to a 33/1 victory over the Redmond Barry-ridden favourite Flat To The Max.

ACTING STEWARDS

T. Hunt, Justice L. Reynolds, R. Dore, Ms. M. Cosgrave, M.F. O’Donoghue

HORSE TO FOLLOW

DAVIDS CHARM (J.J. Walsh): He ran very well to take fifth behind Mr Adjudicator in the big handicap hurdle and this showing would suggest that he will be of major interest in another good handicap hurdle or staying flat handicap over the coming months.