WILLIE Mullins may well have unleashed a juvenile of some potential in the French import Zarak The Brave who impressed with his effort in the three-year-old maiden hurdle.

A capable flat sort in France where he finished no worse than fourth in five starts, this Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding is a son of the up-and-coming French sire Zarak who will stand for €60,000 in 2023.

All told, the 11/10 favourite lined up with compelling credentials and he produced a performance to match under champion jockey Paul Townend.

There was momentary concern when the patiently ridden Zarak The Brave had to be niggled along after four out but he responded well and locked on to the rear of the leading group approaching the straight.

With imperceptible effort he changed gear to take over in front at the second last and then he accelerated away to record a resounding 10-length victory over Rightsotom (Tom Mullins) who made a bright start to his racecourse career.

“I thought they went a good gallop and he did things right. I was surprised with the turn of foot he showed and it landed me in front very quickly,” said the rider

“He stayed at it well and I think there is a bit to work with there as well. He’s going to come on from it and he’s a nice prospect,” he added.

Michael O’Sullivan enjoyed a fine day by landing both divisions of the 80-95 rated handicap hurdle over two and a half miles and his brace was brought up by a pair of especially easy winners.

First to strike was Liz Doyle’s Clody Valley. The Brendan Murphy-owned 11/1 shot was still travelling strongly on the bridle on the approach to the final flight and hardly needed a shake of the reins to draw clear and defeat Banada Bridge by eight lengths.

Half an hour later Terence O’Brien’s Emancipator (7/4) bolted up under O’Sullivan. The Terence O’Brien Racing Club-owned gelding was conspicuous by the ease with which he was travelling turning for home and he needed next to no encouragement to saunter away with eight lengths to spare.

Eric makes it 50 for Kennedy

IT was another good day for Gordon Elliott who notched up a double with Jack Kennedy which was completed by new recruit Eric Bloodaxe in the two-and-a-half-mile conditions hurdle.

The last-named made it 50 victories for the season for the rider, whereas the trainer now lies 13 short of his latest century of winners.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Eric Bloodaxe (4/6), who won at Grade 2 level as a novice hurdler for Joseph O’Brien last season, produced an assured display from the front to justify 4/5 favouritism.

In first-time cheekpieces, the seven-year-old travelled nicely in the lead and produced a series of quick jumps in the closing stages.

The leader was possibly holding Captain Conby nearing the last but a quick jump there made sure of the outcome.

“It was a lovely race to start him back in and he was entitled to do that. We were thinking of going chasing with him and that could still be on the cards and I know fitness-wise he will improve a lot from here,” commented Elliott.

Surprise

Elliott sprang something of a surprise in the two-mile maiden hurdle as Caldwell Diamond (10/1) turned over a couple of much better fancied rivals.

This Caldwell Construction-owned gelding was placed in a bumper and a maiden hurdle but looked as though he had plenty to find with a few of these.

The five-year-old raised his game on his return from 189 days off under a patient Jack Kennedy who produced him to tackle the dual bumper winner The Big Doyen between the last two flights.

A decent jump at the last left Elliott’s charge holding the upper hand and he defeated The Big Doyen by a length with the odds-on The Short Go a further seven lengths away in third.

“He’s a very big horse and is still a bit of a baby so I’m delighted he’s won and there should be plenty of improvement in him,” reported Elliott.