TRIUMPH Hurdle winner Majborough made an impressive start over fences, when readily beating two classy stablemates in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase, the highlight of a 265/1 four-timer for champion trainer Willie Mullins.

The J.P. McManus-owned evens favourite tended to jump slightly left throughout and was just pushed out by Mark Walsh to quicken clear on the run-in for a comfortable six-and-a-half-length verdict over Tullyhill, with Asian Master a further half a length away in third.

“He was very good and had to do it the hard way in front. We were fairly motoring over the last two and he was good and slick at them,” said Walsh, before adding: “He lobbed away in front, he wasn’t keen with me. He has gears and fences were always going to be the making of him.”

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “We’ll see how he comes out of it and the Grade 2 in Naas (on January 5th) could be an option. We could only be pleased with the way he won and jumped.” Paddy Power and Betfair cut him into 6/1 (from 12/1) for the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Determined

Judicieuse Allen was another for Mullins in the McInerney Properties Rated Novice Chase, although the Thurloe Thoroughbreds Ireland-owned mare needed a determined drive from Paul Townend to come out on top.

The 7/1 shot looked booked for third approaching the last, but really knuckled down on the run-in to touch off Kinturk Kalanisi by a neck, with Native Speaker just a head further back in third.

“She jumped for fun, but was doing plenty at times throughout the race, so when they got racing around me three out, I tried to go with them without fully committing,” explained Townend.

“I had to give her a chance to recharge the batteries, and she got a good jump at the last. She has a big heart and found plenty on the run-in.”

Promises pulling through

Inn At The Park (6/1) showed promise in bumpers last season and appreciated the two-mile, seven-furlong trip when successfully switching to hurdles in the Lacey’s Plumbing & Heating Supplies Maiden Hurdle.

The Malcolm Denmark-owned gelding led away from the penultimate flight and was soon in control to beat Ayiko by four and a half lengths.

“He’s always been a strong galloper at home and going hurdling at that distance was probably always going to suit him. He jumped good and sharp and is a lad that should be well able to make the next step up the ladder,” said winning rider Danny Mullins.

FUTURE Prospect completed the Closutton four-timer with an impressive rules debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4YO Fillies Flat Race. Patrick Mullins elected to make all on the 11/8 shot, owned in partnership by Sue Magnier and Bronsan Racing, and she took command from over a furlong out for an easy nine lengths victory over Galileo Springs.

“She was lugging left a bit all the way. She settled in front, even though we were going a good gallop, and I was pleasantly surprised how well she picked up,” said the champion amateur rider.

“I’d imagine we’ll look to the Dublin Racing Festival with her for the mares’ bumper. She might be a slightly easier ride going the other direction. I think she’s the first Order Of St George that we’ve had and I wouldn’t mind a few more of them, if they were like that!”

Walsh doubles up

Mark Walsh completed a short-priced double when also successful in the McManus colours aboard Beyond Your Dreams in the Sign Up To GavinLynchRacing.com 3YO Maiden Hurdle.

The 1/2 favourite was far from fluent on her third hurdle start, but finished strongly to edge out Slurricane close home by three-quarters of a length. “She made heavy weather of it, but got the job done. Hopefully, she can brush up on her jumping,” commented Frank Berry.

Jouster, trained by Gavin Cromwell for the Strawberry Seven Syndicate, followed up a recent chase win at Tramore in division one of the Fairyhouse, Racecourse Of The Year 2024 Handicap Hurdle.

The 9/4 favourite led approaching the final flight and Conor Stone-Walsh didn’t need to get too serious on the run-in for a length and three-quarters success over Stealthy Tom.

“He jumped brilliant and travelled everywhere. He’s a bit of a lazy sort and the cheekpieces keep him concentrating and going forward. I think he can get three miles,” said Stone-Walsh.

ARCH Enemy has been a real star for Cavan trainer Paddy Magee, winning five times on the flat and took advantage of what appeared a lenient mark when successfully reverting to hurdles in the Tote Always SP Or Better @Fairyhouse Novice Handicap Hurdle.

“We would have been disappointed if she didn’t do that. She’s special to us, as we don’t have anything in the yard like her,” said Magee after the Black Steel Square Syndicate-owned 15/2 chance asserted early on the run-in under Eoin Walsh to beat Ragmans Corner by a length and a quarter. “She’ll go to Leopardstown at Christmas and is definitely better around there than any other track in the country.”

Division two of the two-mile, four-furlong handicap was won in even more impressive fashion by Portarlington, who completed a hat-trick when drawing clear after two out under Josh Williamson to beat Slim Marvel by nine lengths.

“He jumped a bit high coming back from fences last time and ran lazily, but Josh didn’t let it turn into a sprint, and he’s won very well. He’ll continue to mix it and there is a two-mile handicap at Dundalk in January, a 47-65, that he can go for.

“We will go somewhere over Christmas and he’s a great fun horse for the lads (Pipe Down Syndicate),” said trainer Ian Donoghue of the 6/5 favourite.