FANCY GIRL (13/8 favourite) was the middle leg of a treble for the Mullins stable in the Watch Every Irish Race Live Only On Racing TV Mares Maiden Hurdle over the two and a half miles.

In the front rank throughout, she was sent about her business by Paul Townend turning into the straight and she bunny-hopped the third last. But a good jump at the second last left her well in command and despite another awkward leap at the last, she was well clear to run out a 13-length winner for the Creighton Family. There was a further 16 lengths between the second and third, Full Of Life and Lady Of The Locke, in a well strung out field.

Townend said: “She has a brilliant jump in her but just lost respect for them and if she was in a more competitive race, she’d be better.

“The one thing she can do is jump and I’ve schooled her myself at home so watching that, they mightn’t let me school her anymore!

“I couldn’t believe how far clear away I was when I looked back after the last, as she had had to pick up after missing a couple of hurdles. Her bumper season flattened out but is stronger now.”

Crows lands prize

There were still about 12 horses with chances turning into the straight in the two and a half mile Follow Us On Facebook Handicap Hurdle. One of those was Crowsatedappletart (14/1) on whom Gavin Brouder got a nice run up the inside.

Travelling well, he shared the lead with favourite One And Only between the last two and a better jump at the last gave him the advantage. He went on to win by half a length for trainer Michael Winters and owner Paul Mullins.

Winters said: “The false starts kill him as he when he is then standing, he lingers a little bit. He was sticky over the first four hurdles today but heated up and those Kerry lads (jockey Brouder) are hard workers!

“We were disappointed with the horse on Sunday but he (Brouder) came in and said a horse crossed him early on. He got away well today but he holds a bit for himself. Everyone knows him over his odd name so this is mighty.”

Danlel King and Tiernan Power Roche were suspended for one raceday for failing to comply with the starters instructions which contributed to a false start.

IT was business as usual in the opening Mallow Maiden Hurdle for four-year-olds over two miles with Willie Mullins supplying an expensive French-bred newcomer to head the market.

In the J.P. McManus colours, the €200,000 Arqana Autumn Sale purchase Kel Histoire ran out a three-and-a-half-length winner under Mark Walsh.

In a field of 19, Dream Diamond, Hello Jack (third), Kilgame and the eventual winner, were in the front rank throughout with Dream Diamond making the running.

Turning in, Noel Meade’s Dutch Gold had also moved into contention but a mistake three out ended his effort. With Kilgame finding little for Darragh O’Keeffe, Mark Walsh bided his time on the favourite and moved to the lead from Dream Diamond before the last. A good jump here sealed the victory.

Walsh said afterwards: “He was very sticky over the first three but you wouldn’t mind that on his first run over hurdles. The further he went, the better he jumped. He’ll go on slower ground and will have no bother on winter ground.”

Elliott on top

The I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle over two miles also had a big field of 18 and the market principals were from the Mullins and Elliott stables in Relieved Of Duties and Magic McColgan (6/5 favourite).

The two occupied first and second throughout and this time it was the Elliott runner who held all the aces as Relieved Of Duties (3/1) ran out an impressive winner to make up for the disappointment of the Robcour runner in the opener.

Relieved Of Duties was still disputing the lead with Magic McColgan into the straight but once over the third last, when Gainford asked for an effort and the son of Sholokhov really moved up a gear and was 10 lengths clear by the last hurdle, extending it to 15 at the line.

“I was going to make plenty use of him and his jumping was very good. They came to me turning into the straight, I gave him a squeeze and he picked up well,” Jordan Gainford reported. “He has won a point-to-point so his jumping is obviously an asset to him.”

Rock rules

Gavin Cromwell got in on the act in the two-mile Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle when Conor Stone-Walsh partnered Robbies Rock (85/40 favourite) to a three-length success for owner Sean Costine.

A three-year-old son of the Derby winner Masar, a recent addition to the National Hunt sire ranks, he was in the front rank throughout and leading from the third last, he was in control over the final two and eased towards finish.

Stone-Walsh reported: “He did it well although being a three-year-old in his first handicap, we were a bit unsure. There was no pace in the race and I didn’t plan to be upsides in front. He was looking around coming up the straight but did it well.

“He showed good flat form and it took him a while to get the hang of jumping.”

THE Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase over two miles and five furlongs was another race where the first two throughout were involved in the finish.

Spindleberry (8/11) brought Grade 1 hurdle form into a mares’ chase but it was Majestic Force who went out front and still led the field into the straight as the two came wide of each other.

Majestic Force looked to be holding the upper hand coming to the last but she didn’t jump it as well as her rival. On the run-in, Paul Townend got the better finish from Spindleberry and she wore down Majestic Force to win by half a length to give the rider a double.

Townend said afterwards of the Fearghal & Bronagh Eastwood-owned winner: “I jumped well but the second (Majestic Force) jumped so well. She had me just at the pin of my collar. I wasn’t missing fences, but she was getting a length everywhere.

“She was brave for me at the last. I thought, going to the last, that bar I had bad luck, I’d give her a run of it.

“She took a blow and will come on for it, and she’ll go on a touch slower ground. I thought it was a good performance.”

Happy days for Fowler

The I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Beginners Chase over two miles and five furlongs produced the best finish of the day with Banjaxed (4/1), El Champo and Beggars Rock all in contention coming to the last. With Beggars Rock making a mistake at the last, Ricky Doyle kept Banjaxed going to just take the verdict by a head from El Champo.

Winning trainer Lorna Fowler said: “It was a good opportunity for him and I am a great optimist so think there is definitely an upward trajectory in him.

“He got into a lot of trouble at Down Royal but happily it didn’t bother him although he still behaves novicey. There is nothing like getting your head in front to give you all the confidence though. I wouldn’t be afraid to step him up in trip.

“I’m delighted for the owners, one of which is my husband Harry (Philip Molony and T A Bruton), and while they say ‘happy wife happy life’, I say ‘happy husband happy life!’”

Tiernan Power Roche was suspended for four race-days for whip frequency (second offence), on El Champo.