WILLIE Mullins recorded a near 20/1 treble on the first jumps card of the season at Naas highlighted by the Grade 3 success of Dinoblue in the Barberstown Castle Chase.

The J.P. McManus-owned mare, successful in valuable handicaps at both the Fairyhouse and Punchestown Festivals last spring, was sent off the 5/6 favourite here on her seasonal reappearance against four rivals.

The task was eased somewhat when stablemate Sir Gerhard fell when still in contention two out, although Mark Walsh had to drive Dinoblue right out to repel the challenge of Fil Dor by a length and three-quarters.

McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “She jumped well and handled the ground well. It’s a nice start to the season and you couldn’t be happier with her. I’m not sure what plans Willie has for her but hopefully she gets to the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham in one piece.”

The six-year-old was cut into 9/2 (from 6’s) with the sponsors for the Mrs Paddy Power Chase.

Grangeclare West cost Cheveley Park £430,000 after winning a point-to-point and the two-time hurdle winner could be a major force over fences judged by an impressive display in the Mongey Communications Beginners Chase.

The 7/4 shot put in an exemplary round of jumping and, while not done any favours by the two fences in the straight being omitted due to the low sun, still came home a comfortable two and three-quarter lengths clear of Heart Wood with 11/10 favourite Corbetts Cross a further six and a half lengths away in third.

Fulfil his promise

“He looks to be born to jump fences, he loved it,” said winning rider Paul Townend. “He had a blow but his jumping was getting him a long way. He’s always promised and I’d say with chasing he could fulfil his promise.”

Mullins had two fancied runners in the Bet In Running On Irish Racing At BetVictor Irish EBF Mares Flat Race and it was the Jody Townend-ridden Fleur Au Fusil, owned by Paddy and Ciaran Reilly, who came out on top.

Well supported on track from 11/2 into 10/3, the daughter of Kapgarde kept on strongly from over a furlong out to beat Lady Bluebird by four lengths.

“I had her covered up but when we turned away from the stands she got a bit of light and got a run on me, but to be fair to her she kept pulling out all the way to the line. She’s a big mare and probably wanted all the time she got. She’s one to look forward to,” said Townend.

“THAT’S his fifth win here and they might make a statue of him now!” quipped owner/trainer Barry Connell after Espanito Bello took the featured two and a half mile Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at the surprisingly generous odds of 20/1.

The nine-year-old gelding, whose hurdle rating of 128 compared favourably with his chase mark, was one of three horses in the air together at the last and his stamina really came to the fore in the closing stages, keeping on well to score by two and a quarter-lengths in the hands of Michael O’Sullivan.

Gaoth Chuil and Lord Erskine could find no extra after the last in second and third respectively.

“They went a mad pace in front which suited him and he jumped super,” said Connell. “We’ve had all the older horses in a good bit longer this summer.

“He normally takes a run but the older horses are straighter this year. I might look at the Proudstown, it’s a hundred grand handicap hurdle and he should be still competitive.”

Cautioned

Following four false starts before this race, eight riders were cautioned under Rule 208 (putting your mount into a trot or canter before the race).

Considering their record in this regard Sam Ewing, Mark Walsh, Aidan Kelly, Daniel King, Michael O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Keeffe, Shane O’Callaghan, JJ Slevin and Gavin Brouder were all suspended for one race-day.

Eddie Cawley saddled his second winner in the space of 48 hours when Chosen Diamond made a perfect start over fences in the Overlander Horseboxes Novice Handicap Chase.

The well-backed 7/1 chance put in a fine round of jumping under Jordan Gainford and drew clear on the run-in to beat the front-running Battle Of Mirbat by four lengths.

“We thought he’d have won a long time ago but I never lost faith and when we started schooling him over fences a month ago, I thought this is his game rather than hurdles.

“He’s a natural jumper and had his hurdle mark (92) today,” said the Batterstown owner/trainer.

HENRY de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore combined for a 16/1 plus double in maiden hurdles with Slade Steel and Mahon’s Way. Blackmore was hard at work on Slade Steel early in the straight in the Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle, but the 10/3 chance responded gamely on the run-in to beat the odds-on King Of Kingsfield by five and a half lengths.

“He was a nice bumper horse last year, we didn’t run him too much and nice to see him come out and do that. He really stayed at it,” said de Bromhead of the Robcour-owned gelding.

Mahon’s Way was another winner for Cheveley Park Stud in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle, with the 3/1 shot prominent throughout in this two miles and three furlong contest before taking control on the run-in to beat Prince Palace by five and a half lengths. De Bromhead said: “Alex Elliott bought him after he won his point-to-point. He came highly recommended and does everything well. He went through that ground and you would think he will get further.”

Smooth Tom (10/1), trained by Andy Slattery for Margaret O’Rourke, made it two wins from two over hurdles when asserting under Philip Donovan to beat Mayor’s Walk by three lengths in the BetVictor Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle. “He’s a 90 horse on the flat, I was surprised how big a price he was,” said Slattery’s brother Willie. “If he runs again, it will be Leopardstown at Christmas.”