THREE Closutton inmates booked their places on the boat for next month, with victories at Punchestown on Thursday. Grade 1 winner Jade De Grugy warmed up for the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham, with a cosy win in the BetVictor Quevega Mares Hurdle under Paul Townend.

The daughter of Doctor Dino went to post a 5/6 shot on her first start since scoring at the top level in novice company at Fairyhouse last Easter. It proved plain sailing for the hotpot, as she travelled smoothly into the lead turning for home and went on to post a comfortable six-length success over Mousey Brown in the Grade 3 event.

“It was a lovely run, it was a nice comeback to racing,” said Mullins of Kenny Alexander’s mare. “I think she’ll improve a fair bit for the race, which leaves us in a good position going to Cheltenham.”

High Class Hero had initiated the treble, when claiming the QuinnBet Beginners Chase in fine style. Townend produced the 8/15 favourite to lead on the bridle turning for home and the Sulamani gelding went on to post a two-and-three-quarter-length win over stablemate Loughglynn.

Testing conditions

“He did it nicely. The ground was quite testing, as they had a lot of rain before racing,” said Mullins. “He’s in the Brown Advisory. He would look like that type of an animal and we’ll probably head that direction.”

The treble was completed in some style when Gameofinches made a big impression on his debut for the yard in the concluding bumper.

Patrick Mullins oozed confidence on the Blue Bresil gelding, owned by Caroline Tisdall, as the 8/15 shot cruised into the lead a furlong-and-a-half from home to score by four and a quarter lengths.

“He did what I was hoping he could do. His homework has been nice, he showed on the track what he had been showing me at home,” said Mullins. “I’d imagine, if he recovers nicely from that race, he’ll go to the Cheltenham bumper.

“We’ll see what happens with him next year, he’s six now, so we might go straight chasing, I’m not sure hurdling would do anything for his career, but they are discussions for another day.”

JOCKEYS gathered in the parade ring before the first race for a minute’s silence to remember their colleague, Michael O’Sullivan.

Barry Connell was understandably emotional after the victory of William Munny, the first success in his colours since the tragic loss of a young man, with whom he enjoyed some memorable moments.

It was a particularly poignant victory, as the Westerner gelding is set to contest the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham next month, a race that gave O’Sullivan his career highlight.

Things proved straightforward for the 4/6 shot in the Madigan Irish EBF Sheila Bourke Novice Hurdle, as he led on the bridle turning for home, under Sean Flanagan, and scored by 15 lengths.

“The first thing I want to say is that we’re all thinking about Michael and his family today,” said Connell.

“This horse has been doing everything wrong in his hurdle races. He’s been way too keen, making mistakes and he’s still running to figures to suggest that he’s there or thereabouts winning a Supreme Novices’.

“He has so much natural ability that he can’t understand why the riders want to take him back.

“He’s hardly having a blow there today, that was his last piece of work before the Supreme.”

Springt in the lead

Fences have made all the difference to Springt De La Mare and he made it two from two over the larger obstacles in the opening Concept Colours Rated Novice Chase.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding was produced from off the pace to lead going to the last and stayed on well in the closing stages for a cosy three-length win under Keith Donoghue.

“I was just saying to Keith there that we couldn’t win a maiden hurdle with him, but he’s taken to this better. He jumps really well and got through that ground well,” said Cromwell.

“He won his bumper and looked like he was going to be very smart, but he just lost his way a little bit in the middle part of his career. Hopefully, we’re back on track.”

FERMOY handler, Sean Allen opened his ‘track’ account, when Prophet’s Corner ran out an impressive winner of the David Trundley Artist Novice Handicap Hurdle.

The trainer’s brother Darragh did the steering on the 5/2 joint-favourite, who made all and drew clear on the run-in for an eight-length success over fellow market leader, Duffeys Hodey.

“That’s my first winner on the track, I’ve had 24 in point-to-points. He’s kind of a yard favourite,” said Allen afterwards.

“He’s very good on heavy ground, he can go the same speed on soft as he can on hard. We’ll try for another hurdle and see how that goes after today. It’s our first winner, so we’re not going to complain. Darragh is my brother, so it’s a family success. It’s all in-house, which keeps the costs down! I just want to say a word about Mikey O’Sullivan. It’s an awful tragedy – there are no words for it.”

One-two-three for Elliott

Gordon Elliott dominated proceedings in the QuinnBet National Trial, saddling the first three home in the €100,000 contest. The three-mile, three-furlong event boiled down to a duel between Fortunedefortunata and Will Do in the straight.

Fortunedefortunata looked to be in control going to the last, only to blunder at the fence. That gave Will Do the advantage, but Jake Coen conjured a renewed effort from his mount to get back on top in the closing stages for a two-and-a-quarter length win. Assistant Ian Amond said afterwards: “The lads that own him (Breakaway’s Syndicate) are all local, from Summerhill, so Gordon will be delighted with that as well.

“He had a light weight on his back and likes that ground. It looked like he was after throwing it away, but he did well to get back up after the mistake he made. It’s great for Jake as well. He’s there every day in the yard, so it’s good for him to get a big win like that. Hopefully, things will pick up for him now.”

Elliott bagged a brace later, when Cardcounter ran out a convincing winner of the Kilkea Castle Hotel Maiden Hurdle. Sam Ewing was prominent throughout on the 6/1 shot and he asserted on the run-in to score by five and a half lengths in the colours of Francis Mangan. Ewing said: “He’s a nice horse. He loved that ground and trip and has done it well at the line. He got a little bit outpaced turning in, we didn’t go that quick, but he did it nicely in the end. He’s a fine big horse and I’d say he’ll have no problem jumping a fence.”