DANNY Mullins continued a fine run of form with a double at Kilbeggan last Friday night.

Quel Reve went to post a 4/6 shot in the opening maiden hurdle on the card but needed to be kept up to her work late on by Mullins after taking a chance at the last.

The Willie Mullins-trained mare travelled well to lead after the second last in the two-miler and stuck on well when asked for an effort on the run-in to score by a length and a half from Pats Choice.

The rider said afterwards: “The last was the first hurdle that I met on my own and she just didn’t quite attack it the way I was hoping she would and she landed on all fours.

“A bit of class got her through, to battle back when the other horse came to her again.

“It takes a fair one to win a bumper first time and then back it up again over hurdles.”

Teamed up

Danny Mullins teamed up with his father Tony a couple of races later to complete his brace aboard Rotten Row.

The Leading Light gelding had scored at a big price at Tramore the previous week and went to post a 7/1 shot to repeat the dose.

Mullins held his mount up towards the rear in the Tom Lynam Memorial Handicap Hurdle and produced him to lead at the last flight.

He kept on gamely on the run-in to record a three-quarter-length win over the fast-finishing Rare Conor.

“He likes good ground and that’s why we pulled him out again so quickly,” said Mullins senior.

“We’d love to think we’d go to Listowel but if it’s soft ground he doesn’t handle it.

“We’ll pick somewhere again in about two weeks’ time and then he’ll go chasing.”

There was also a double on the card for Willie Mullins who claimed the first two races.

Champagne Problem went to post a 1/3 shot in the two-mile, three-furlong novice hurdle but there were some hairy moments for her backers on the way round.

Pat Taaffe took the mount on the Fame And Glory filly, part-owned by his mother Elaine, and she swapped the lead early on with I Don’t Get It before kicking on before the second last.

There were several mistakes on the way around but the hotpot was much too strong for her rivals, cruising clear for a 38-length success.

Pat Taaffe said: “She’s well-bred, she was bred by Mum and Dad and by the Coxs at Baroda Stud who are good family friends.

“She has a lot to learn in all areas, she was scrappy but the main thing is that she has the engine. It was only her second run over hurdles so you can allow for some mishaps.”

Grand revival for Soir

JOHN McConnell was relieved to see Grand Soir open his hurdling account in fine style in the Moyvalley Meats Maiden Hurdle.

After a promising bumper run at Limerick in March, the Cokoriko gelding had posted a couple of slightly disappointing efforts, but he came good in no uncertain fashion here.

Simon Torrens drove the 7/2 shot into the lead before the last in the three-mile, one-furlong contest and he powered clear to record an eight-and-a-half-length win over Run For Pat.

“We paid an awful lot of money for him (after an easy point-to-point win) and he really didn’t show much at home when he got him even though he’s a beautiful horse,” said McConnell.

Big one

“We’ve been lucky with a lot of them but he was a real big one for us as Derek (Kierans) puts a lot of money into it. I couldn’t even tell him he was flying up the gallops.

“He’s probably a three-mile-plus chaser in the making. If he hadn’t done something today we were going to have to go back to the drawing board. He obviously likes nice ground and there is plenty more to come I’d say.”

Buckley and Gleeson take the praise

KIEREN Buckley continues to make a name for himself in Ireland and came in for plenty of praise after guiding Crimson Chief to victory in the Johnston Farm Equipment Handicap Chase over three miles and a furlong.

The John Morrison-owned and -trained gelding travelled well to challenge after the second last and after hitting the front going to the final fence, the 14/1 shot stuck on gamely to record a half-length success over Crobally Boy.

Assistant Darren Pratt said: “He’s a horse that’s had a lot of problems. He is what he is and he’s in his grade. He jumped well today. He’s [Buckley] a great young fella, he’s never rode for us before. He rode him up the inside and didn’t give him a chance to mess around. He has loads of ability, but it’s all in his head.”

John Gleeson is a rising star in the amateur ranks and Denis Hogan was complimentary after his victory on Thecompanysergeant in the John Thomas McNamara bumper. The 11/4 shot lead two furlongs out in the two-miler and kept on well when pressed by Memories Never Die to record a two-length win.

“I’m delighted with that. He had a lovely run in Galway, he stayed on and John gave him a lovely ride and minded him,” said Hogan.“I was a little bit worried that it had gone too quick but they put plenty of water on. I’m delighted for the owner Martin Cooney, it’s his first horse with me.”

THERE was no doubting who the star attraction was at Kilbeggan as the crowd flocked to the winners enclosure to welcome back Rachael Blackmore after her victory on Brave Way in the Kiernan Steel Handicap Chase.

Henry de Bromhead’s charge went to post a 4/1 shot in the three-mile, one-furlong contest and hit the front to loud cheers going to the final fence.

The Jeremy mare stayed on strongly on the run-in to record a three-and-three-quarter-length win over Siberian Prince.

Blackmore said: “It was a great performance as there is a right crew of Kenny Alexander’s friends in there (parade ring). It was brilliant.

“She jumped quite well today and her jumping is coming on the whole time. She felt great and it was another step forward.”

Blackmore was swamped by fans afterwards and added: “It’s brilliant, there is such a great reception here. It’s great to meet people and everyone is so supportive.”