WILLIE Mullins wrapped up the jumps season at Leopardstown with a double on the card at the Dublin venue on Monday.

Horantzau D’airy was a touch ‘fortuitous’ in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase as Paul Townend’s mount was left in a clear lead by the last fence falls of Aspire Tower and Thecompanysergeant.

The French-bred gelding, a 5/2 shot, was a close enough third when the two in front exited and went on to record a length-and-a-quarter success over stablemate Paul Marvel, also owned by Rich Ricci.

“It was a bit fortuitous but if you’re not in you can’t win. I’m delighted with him and he’ll continue chasing until the summer,” said Mullins. “Paul Marvel will do his best while the ground stays right.”

The brace was completed in the concluding mares’ bumper when the well-bred Magic McColgan prevailed in the rain softened ground.

Patrick Mullins came up the inner in the straight to lead a furlong from home and record a length-and-a-half success on the Flemensfirth mare.

The even-money winner had been fourth on her debut at Limerick and Mullins said of Kenny Alexander’s filly: “It was a nice performance and she’s improved nicely from Christmas.

“I’d imagine we’ll probably keep her for Punchestown, for the listed mares’ bumpers, unless there is another one in between. She’s a full-sister to Tornado Flyer.”

The 7/1 shot led early in the straight, under Jordan Gainford, and soon cruised clear to post a 27-length success in the colours of the McNeill family.

It was his first run ‘under rules’ having won a Lingstown point-to-point for Sean Doyle in November.

“He’s only a baby, there is loads of improvement. We thought he was only ready for a run but he ran really well,” said Elliott. “He’ll stay very well.”

The experience Notkeepinyagoing gained a deserved success in the following mares’ maiden hurdle with an all-the-way win under Ben Harvey.

John McConnell’s charge kicked clear before the final flight in the two-and-a-half mile contest to record a 15-length success over Magic Dawn at odds of 7/2.

Consistent

“She deserves it as she’s consistent,” said McConnell. “Although it’s soft ground here today it was just too soft in Tramore last time. Her form before that was pretty solid.

“Hopefully the handicapper doesn’t take it too literally; it probably wasn’t the greatest of maiden hurdles. She should be competitive off the mark she has now in a handicap or maybe a little winners’ race somewhere.”

THE Tom Mullins-trained Lovely Reaction opened her account with an impressive performance in the QuinnBet Mares Handicap Hurdle.

The J.P. McManus-owned daughter of Walk In The Park led before the second last for Mark Walsh and pulled clear in style after the last to record a nine-length win at odds of 6/1 (12/1 in morning).

“She’s been a nice mare all the time and I thought she couldn’t get beat the last day,” said Mullins.

“For some reason she hung the whole way with Simon Torrens last time. We just gave her a bit of time off, a couple of easy weeks, and started off again. She done it like I thought she would have done it in Fairyhouse.”

Storming home

Soloman Lane was another horse to leave behind a below par run when storming home in the straight to land the John Thomas McNamara Handicap Chase under David Doyle.

The Martin Hassett-trained gelding, a well-backed 9/4 favourite, came to challenge bypassing the final fence and got on top in the closing stages to beat Baldur’s Gate by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

“The last day was just a disaster with the ground (in Fairyhouse). I was kind of worried when all the rain came today but it was loose,” said Hassett.

“He’s actually better than what he’s shown but he wants everything to go right for him.

“I said to David ‘if you jump the first three here, you’ll win’. The last day he didn’t jump and he’s dynamite to jump. David gave him a grand ride, he’s a good young lad and is well able to ride.”

Fencing future

Jerk’s long-term future will lie over fences following his success in the QuinnBet Handicap Hurdle for Bill Durkan.

The 17/2 shot led early in the straight, under Patrick O’Brien, and kept on well in the closing stages to record a three-parts-of-a-length victory over From The Ashes.

Assistant trainer Gary Bannon said afterwards: “It’s tough conditions and he stays well.

“He’s a horse that’s been immature and has grown rapidly at home. He didn’t show us much last year and had only the one run.

“We said we’d come back this year and he’s been better from run to run. It was much better the last day (when third at Fairyhouse) and we said we’d step him up in trip.

“He looks like a real chaser in the making. Hopefully he’ll keep improving.”