WILLIE Mullins left his mark on yet another Festival as the champion trainer sent out a treble on the opening session of the three-day Killarney May meeting highlighted by the victory of Pont Aval in the Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase.

A total of 14 went to post in this three miles and two furlongs €50,000 feature and the majority were still in contention approaching the final three fences.

A number of fallers soon thinned out the field and Pont Aval made gradual headway to lead early on the run-in before the 16/1 chance drew clear for Sean O’Keeffe to beat Gateau De Miel by seven lengths.

“She jumped well and stayed going really well. I was happy to get her jumping and travelling, and hopefully come home well with the light weight,” said O’Keeffe of the Nigel King-owned mare.

“They quickened turning in and I felt after the second last that a good jump at the last she would go and win her race. I’m delighted with her.”

Paul Townend, fresh from a valuable win on the Mullins-trained Scaramanga in Nashville the previous day, was aboard the other two Closutton winners – Saldier and Hauturiere.

Two from three

Saldier, whose CV includes the Galway Hurdle and Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle, made it two wins from three starts since sent over fences this year when justifying 7/4 favouritism in the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase.

The Susannah Ricci-owned gelding was only confirmed the winner following a stewards’ enquiry after jumping right across market rival Vina Ardanza at the final fence and just coming out on top of a titanic duel by a nose.

“He made a bad mistake at the last the first time round and did well to get away with it. He frightened himself and jammed on the next couple and it was hard to get into a rhythm,” said Townend before adding: “When we left the ground at the last he went right and I was actually lucky to stay on him. Once I got him back on an even keel he was only going to do enough.”

Connections of Vina Ardanza have lodged an appeal.

Easier time

The champion jockey had a much easier time aboard 6/5 favourite Hauturiere in the Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase with the Peter Fitzgerald-owned six-year-old quickening clear from before the last on her debut over fences for an easy 10 lengths verdict over stablemate Eabha Grace.

Townend said: “It took her a while to get the hang of jumping hurdles but she jumped fences much better. I thought they went quite quick for what they were and I was happy to let it all happen in front of me. She came home well.”

Tom turns in Mighty run

CIAN Collins made a triumphant return to his home county as the Navan trainer recorded one of his biggest successes to date with Mighty Tom in the €45,000 Oyster Tavern Handicap Hurdle.

The Dylan Thomas gelding, owned by Collins’ uncle Noel, was patiently ridden by Denis O’Regan who produced the 9/2 shot to lead on the outer two out and soon take command to beat Magnor Glory by an impressive 10 lengths.

“He’s a horse with any amount of ability. He’s had a few problems but we seem to have ironed them out,” said Collins.

“We’ve changed the tactics with him and he’s more relaxed. Denis said they flew which probably suited him and he was able to stay on. I’d say we’ll go for the Galway Hurdle now.”

Strong hand

Gordon Elliott looked to hold a strong hand in the Easyclean Tourist Attraction Mares Hurdle and while 7/4 favourite Party Central dropped away in the straight to finish fourth, the Cullentra team still landed the listed prize with Shecouldbeanything.

The Michael Hanrahan-owned 4/1 chance flattened the penultimate flight but rallied strongly for Donagh Meyler on the run-in to beat Walk With Paul by a length.

“She is a hardy bit of stuff and I’m very grateful to be put up on her. She was headed after the second last but the harder it was the tougher she dug in. She stuck out her head and should have a bright future,” said Meyler.

Eagles win keeps Hassett flying high

MARTIN Hassett continued a good recent run as Valleyoftheeagles, sporting the colours of the Killenaule trainer’s wife Deirdre, finished with a real flourish in the Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle.

The 4/1 chance was only third over the final flight but fairly motored home under Sean Flanagan to collar Chiefs Kingdom close home by half-a-length.

“That’s three winners and a third in eight days for a small operation. I’ve just a restricted licence but I’m on a real high!” said a delighted Hassett.

“He was immature mentally and physically. He had a few good runs on the flat and when we put a hurdle in front of him the penny started to drop. We think an awful lot of him.”

Winning debut

Custom Of The Sea (14/1 in the morning and sent off half those odds) made a winning debut in the two miles and a furlong Killarney Towers Hotel Maiden Hurdle, soon asserting after two out under J.J. Slevin to ultimately score by a convincing five and a half lengths.

The Soldier Of Fortune gelding is trained for the Annus Mirabilis Syndicate by Joseph O’Brien and his assistant Brendan Powell said: “He has a nice pedigree but hasn’t shown too much at home. He’s a very laidback horse and will stay further.”

Big Dispute was another newcomer to win on the day in the Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Flat Race.

The French Navy gelding took a fierce hold with Finny Maguire letting him stride on into the lead around halfway and he still found plenty under pressure inside the final quarter mile to beat Wrecking Ballbilly by a length and three-quarters.

For sale

“Con (McSweeney, owner) bought him at the sales and did all the work with him. He’s for sale so we’ll see what happens,” said trainer Paul O’Flynn of the 14/1 winner.

“Obviously it didn’t go to plan but when you have a good jockey like Finny, he knows to go to plan B. We knew he would stay galloping and is a proper horse.

“Con has a point-to-point licence and we have been friends for years. He’d the winner of the four-year-old maiden in Tallow this year, Butcher Hollow, that he sold for £200,000 at the Cheltenham sale.”