WILLIE Mullins completed a treble at Limerick last Sunday, where the champion trainer combined with stable jockey Paul Townend to win the featured Grade 3 Hugh McMahon Novice Chase with Fun Fun Fun (7/4 favourite).

Carrying the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, the keen-going daughter of Martaline led from the second fence and made the rest of the running to comfortably account for Harry Des Ongrais.

Fun Fun Fun’s breeder and the trainer’s son Patrick Mullins later reported: “It has taken us a long time to figure out her best trip, as over hurdles she was running too keen and doing too much. With more jumps, she gets a chance to breathe and is just so quick at her fences.

“We didn’t want to go to Cheltenham this year after her run in Exeter, but we drew a line through that. Maybe the Willow Warm Gold Cup (at Fairyhouse) could suit and I’d say we’ll be working backwards from the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham next year with her.”

Tussle

Mullins and Townend had earlier combined to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle with Dr Eggman (3/1), which got the better of a tussle with runner-up Good N’ Kind, with the pair finishing 23 and 30 lengths clear of the third and fourth.

Regarding the Rich Ricci-owned Dr Eggman, Townend said: “He has been frustrating, but ground conditions suited him a lot today. He had a rating to win something like that, but it wasn’t a penalty kick either, although he had the run under his belt. At least he has won now.”

Trainer Mullins began the day by winning the opening three-runner Party Time Ltd (Mares’) Hurdle with the Mark Walsh-partnered, J.P. McManus-owned Jalila Moriviere (4/9 favourite).

Having made all the running to easily defeat Mongibello, the owner’s racing manager Frank Berry reported: “She had different ground today and she seems to enjoy jumping. You’d be happy with her and she looks like she can jump a fence in future.

Galway Hurdle

“If there is something for her in Punchestown, I’m sure she’ll run and she’ll tip away for the summer. Maybe she has a little to find for a Galway Hurdle, but you never know what way things will go.”

RECENT Stayers’ Hurdle-winning team jockey Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry de Bromhead combined to land the Racing TV Handicap Chase, with Banprionsa (6/1).

Carrying the Kenny Alexander-Honeysuckle colours, Banprionsa capitalised on the final-fence blunder by narrow leader Invictus Machin, when holding that rival by a head on the run-in. Blackmore later commented: “She had a nice run the last day in Clonmel, so it was great to get her head in front over fences. The runner-up made a mistake at the final fence, and we didn’t, so that’s why they are there. Hopefully, she can keep going now.”

Owner J.P. McManus later completed a double, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Light Up The Dark (6/5 favourite) landing the concluding Listed Kevin McManus Champion Bumper, under jockey John Gleeson.

Racing in touch with the leaders, the Camelot-filly eventually battled to a two and a quarter lengths win over Start Fifteen, which displayed real signs of greeness, but nonetheless showed plenty of ability on debut.

Racing manager Berry said: “They probably didn’t go a mad gallop, but she did the job nicely. There were a lot of horses there turning in, but she quickened nicely and put it to bed.

“She had a good attitude and the graded mares’ bumper at Punchestown might suit.”

Linden keeps colours flying

TRAINER Philip Fenton won with his first Bowe family-owned horse, as Linden Arden (8/1) landed the SIS Handicap Chase under jockey Brian Hayes.

Linden Arden, out of 22-time winner Solerina, previously raced for Michael Bowe last September and debuted for Fenton, who reported: “Brian (Hayes) rides for the Bowes, so that is really my connection to them.

“I remember their great horses well, although even their lesser horses were good and many won graded races. They have a great family.”

Regarding Linden Arden, he said: “He is a nice horse to get, he had a nice reputation coming to us and he had a little bit of form. Today was his first run in a handicap, so you’d imagine he’ll progress as a handicap chaser.”

First winner

Ross Berry registered a first winner as a professional jockey, when landing the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle on the Martin Hassett-trained, Deirdre Hassett-owned Siege Ofdjaotville (25/1).

Debuting in handicaps, the five-year-old gelding arrived from mid-field to lead at the last, and held runner-up The Nagger Reidy by a length and a quarter.

Berry, 22-year-old son of former leading amateur jockey John Berry, reported: “It’s nice to get my first winner as a professional as it’s taken a while, but I’ve had seven as an amateur. The race suited when we went a good gallop and we thought he might need three miles. I had a nice position, was happy everywhere and things opened up for me and he galloped well to the line.”

Trainer Hassett added: “Ross is a grand quiet chap, but when he comes in to the yard, you know that he’s not talking gibberish and I’m delighted with him. His 7lb claim is like stealing candy from a baby!”