WILLIE Mullins ended the year by recording a double at a wet and windy Punchestown with Sainte Lucie and Bambino Fever, two smart fillies for the powerful Closutton team to look forward to in 2025.

Sainte Lucie, placed on her only previous start at Auteuil last spring, was described as being out of the ‘top drawer’ by the champion trainer after landing odds of 8/11 in the Celebrate The New Year With Tote 3YO Maiden Hurdle.

The Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned filly smoothly asserted off the home bend and Paul Townend could sit quietly, as she cruised clear on the run-in to beat Luker’s Tipple by an easy 11 lengths.

“Paul was very happy with her and loved the way she galloped through that (soft) ground. I’d imagine we’ll be going for the top events with her. She looks top drawer,” said Mullins. Paddy Power and Betfair cut her into 12/1 (from 33/1) for the Triumph Hurdle.

DRF bound

Bambino Fever, a wide-margin winner of her only point-to-point, made an impressive start under rules in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race.

The easy-to-back 5/2 favourite travelled well to lead early in the straight and took command from over a furlong out under Patrick Mullins for an impressive five-length verdict over Derryville.

“That looked a nice performance. A good strong filly, who was very hard on herself throughout the race. She looks a nice one to go jumping with, having won her point-to-point and I’d say we’ll take our chance in the Grade 2 mares bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival,” said Mullins, who trains the daughter of Jukebox Jury for the O’Connell Morgan Syndicate.

MULLINS was also fancied to land the Make The Tote App Your New Year’s Resolution Hurdle with Saint Sam, but the front-running 8/13 shot was collared by Ballyadam (7/2) soon after the last and the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding kept on best for Rachael Blackmore to score by half a length.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead was represented by Robert Power, who said: “It’s great to get his head in front. He’s been a very consistent horse and always runs his race. I’ve no idea where he is going next, but it’s nice to get his head back in front.”

Folly Master was all the rage for the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase and the 10/11 favourite justified the confidence, when leading before the last under Keith Donoghue to beat the front-running Rolly Bowley Boy by three lengths

“He’s very straight forward and very genuine and owned by great people,” said Tom Dreaper, who trains the six-year-old for Declan O’Farrell.

“I thought I was going to run him the last weekend of October and didn’t get a chance until two weeks ago. He wants proper soft ground and maybe even an extra mile.”

Third time lucky

Shannon Royale, runner-up on his previous two starts over fences, opened his chasing account at the third attempt, when making most to land the Your Free Entry Sponsored By Tote Ireland Beginners Chase.

Trained by Gordon Elliott for Robcour and a course winner over hurdles last season, the 2/1 chance was prominent throughout and kept on well on the run-in to beat High Class Hero by two and a quarter lengths.

“He’s a grand, big, honest, galloping horse, who stays well. He’s probably more of a handicapper than a graded horse.

“Jordan (Gainford) gave him a good ride and I’d say he wasn’t doing a whole lot in front,” said Elliott.

There was a nasty sting in the tail for Gainford, who was given an eight-day ban for excessive use of the whip, with the stewards taking into account that it was his third such offence.

FARMERS Lodge overcame some trouble in running to land the Tote’s Cheers To 2024 Handicap Hurdle, squeezing through between horses approaching the final flight and keeping on strongly on the run-in for Sean Flanagan to beat Stormbreaker by a length and a half.

“He’s a quality horse who had a good few problems that kept him off the track for a long time, but we got them sorted out. There is probably a good handicap chase in him at some stage, but we’ll probably keep him going over hurdles for the moment. For a big horse, he’s a very slick jumper of a hurdle,” said owner/trainer Barry Connell of the 100/30 winner.

Falson Park, trained by Paul Hennessy for his wife Susan, caused a 16/1 surprise in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle stretching clear on the run-in under Niall Prendergast to beat Bishbashbosh by a decisive five and a half lengths.

“He gave young Niall a tough fall the last day in Naas and he was sore for a few days after it. It’s a tough game and you heard him saying ‘that makes it all worthwhile’. He deserves more opportunities,” said Hennessy before adding: “I have this fella since he was a three-year-old and it’s wonderful to get a winner.”