WILLIE Mullins bounced back from a disappointing St Stephen’s Day by sending out seven winners spread across Leopardstown and Limerick on Wednesday, completing a four-timer at the Munster course.

Mullins began by winning the opening Goggin Buckley Mares Maiden Hurdle with the Thurloe Thoroughbred Ireland Ltd’s Judicieuse Allen (6/5 favourite) providing jockey Adrian Heskin with the opening leg of a double on his first two rides for the trainer.

The French-bred filly appeared beaten behind the leaders jumping the second last and indeed the last, but powered home to lead close home and beat Cooltubrid Eva by three-quarters of a length.

Mullins was at Leopardstown and Heskin reported: “I couldn’t get a run with her turning in as she was hanging and I was all on one rein the whole way around.

“It ran me into traffic and, while I was happy I had the fancied horses beaten, the two leaders got first run on me and thank God the straight was as long as it was.

“She winged the last two, has a great will to win and I’d say she is a fair filly.”

Opportunity

“That was my first ride for Willie and I’m very grateful for getting the opportunity. It was lovely to ride a nice horse and nice when it works out.”

Two races later Heskin maintained his unbeaten record with Mullins when landing the Grade 2 McMahons Irish EBF Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase on wide-margin winner Hauturiere (11/10 joint-favourite, for owner Dr Ronan Fitzgerald).

Heskin reported: “She settled well and it was lovely to get a lead around. From the third last, I knew she was going best

and I left her roll on over the last two.

“She really jumped them well and won as she liked. It was a good performance on that ground.” Regarding his own return to Ireland in August, he added: “I am very grateful to Willie for the opportunities today. I knew at the start of the season it wouldn’t be easy to get going but I’m getting great support from a lot of smaller trainers. It is great to be getting the backing of Willie Mullins and, after today’s winners, it has been a good year.

“I came back in August and started riding out for Willie. I’ve really enjoyed riding out there and hopefully there might be a few more as the season pushes on.”