CHAMPION amateur jockey Patrick Mullins avoided mishap to land both ‘splits’ of his bogey race – December’s Qualified Riders Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel, scoring on a pair of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned winners.

Previously defeated twice at odds of 1/3 favourite, Mullins began the day by landing the opening divide on C’est Ta Chance (8/13 favourite), which out-gunned well-backed Whatsanotheryear (11/2) by five lengths.

Winning trainer Willie Mullins wasn’t present and Mullins junior quipped: “This is usually a Bermuda Triangle race for me and then this horse just seemed to drop the bridle coming down the hill. Once I got daylight, he hit another gear, though.

“His jumping would need to sharpen up a bit, but I think he’ll improve plenty from it. I think there is a lot of room for improvement. He had a good first run last year and we think he is better than his latest two runs, so hopefully he will make into a graded horse.”

Stepping up

Thirty minutes later, the Willie Mullins-trained, Munir and Souede-owned Karafon (5/6 – 7/4) scored by two and a quarter lengths, from Uhavemeinstitches, which was the subject of a running and riding enquiry and the stewards noting explanations from jockey Aine O’Connor and trainer James Motherway.

The winner’s stablemate Karamoja finished well-held in third, with Patrick Mullins explaining: “I couldn’t ride Karamoja for weight reasons and at home she would work as well as the winner, but Karafon has an extra season’s training with us under his belt. We think a lot of both horses and Karafon can step up in grade now.”

In the Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan Hurdle, victory went to the Mouse Morris-trained Franciscan Rock (11/4), for jockey Gavin Brouder and owners Michael and John O’Flynn.

Afterwards, Morris revealed: “My horses were just arse-ways for six to 12 months, but hopefully have turned the corner now. I don’t know what it was, but they just weren’t finishing their races, although some weren’t any good.

“We had to clean out the whole place, changed water pots - did everything possible.

“Franciscan Rock had some good form and there were no slouches for today’s four-horse race - any of the four could have won. He is qualified for the Pertemps (at Cheltenham), but a lot of water has to flow under the bridge first. I’ll give him a break now.”

18-YEAR-old Dingle-native Thomas O’Connor steered his first career winner in the Thanks To All For Your Support Handicap Hurdle, on Kp’s Ladyofknock (28/1), which won on her first start for trainer Mark Fahey.

Racing with the pace, O’Connor moved the four-year-old filly to lead at the second-last, with the pair holding on for a two-and-a-half-length win over Mayos Vendangeur.

Afterwards, O’Connor reported: “I have no background in racing, although I’m 100 metres over the road from the Kennedys (champion jockey Jack and Paddy). Jack used to ride horses by my house every day of the week, so got the bug from there and they have been very good to me.”

Regarding the winner, Fahey added: “She was fit, healthy and well when she came, but came with a bit of an attitude and I didn’t delay too long in getting her out (to run), as I didn’t want her getting bored with the change of scenery.

“She had a light weight and Tom is good value for the 7lb claim, so we tried to make things as easy as we could for her. He is a great lad, works hard and you couldn’t get better than him and is a good rider too.”

Hopeful outcome

Racing began with the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle and was won by the James Smith-partnered 20/1 Eve’s Hope, for owner/trainer and farmer Mark Quigley.

Afterwards, Quigley said: “We had her operated [on] for her wind and has improved a lot from it.

“We always thought a lot of her, but had been disappointing on her last couple of runs. There’s a race for her at Limerick over Christmas next.

“I bought her as a foal for two grand and has won a pot today. I’m a farmer, train for a few friends of mine and have 12 or 13 in.”

Trainer Philip Rothwell and jockey Tiernan Power Roche combined to win the Kilsheelan Handicap Hurdle with Duffys Hodey (11/4 favourite), which scored readily by seven and a half lengths from Knockbrack Rambler.

Rothwell commented: “He has plenty little bits of problems and his owners have been hugely patient. It is my own yard’s syndicate involving a few friends, locals and a cousin is involved as well. They are a great bunch and they have this horse and Committee Meeting on the go.

“This lad had been placed a few times, but it just wasn’t happening, so deserved this.

“We’ll head to Limerick at Christmas for another handicap and, hopefully, he isn’t murdered for winning today.”

LAZER Wolf was another winning (100/30) favourite in the Next Race Meeting Jan 9 Novice Handicap Chase, scoring for trainer Gavin Cromwell and owner Gerard Browne by five and a half lengths.

Winning jockey Keith Donoghue reported: “He didn’t travel for some reason the last day and we had a hood and tongue-tie on him in the past, but left everything off him today.

“It was a good opportunity, he travelled very well into it, quickened up and jumped the last two well and won well. He’ll go on any sort of ground, but wouldn’t want it too quick and I’d imagine he’ll appear during Christmas somewhere.”

The concluding Clonmel Supporters Beginners Chase was won by the Paul Nolan-trained Kiltealy Park (11/2), which scored an all-out short-head success over Bleu D’Enfer.

Ridden by Sean Flanagan, the five-year-old mare carries the colours of the Browne Bros Partnership and, afterwards, Nolan reported: “Conditions suited, her 7lb mares’ allowance put her in lovely and was deadly to jump, apart from fiddling one fence. She had been so well-schooled for her point to points.

“Sean thought he’d finish second once the leader kicked on, but she hit the line well. She won her maiden hurdle, a handicap and I’d say the ground was a bit quick the last day she ran. We’ll look to Christmas now and might step her up a little in trip.”