RECENTLY crowned UK and 17-times Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins set the ball rolling on another jumps’ season when recording a double at Ballinrobe which was completed by 4/6 favourite Sorrentino who impressively landed the Harrington Concrete & Quarries INH Flat Race.

Owned and bred by Ballylinch Stud, keen-going Sorrentino raced on the outer before being produced to lead in the straight to beat Fatal Flaw by two and a half lengths.

“He’s obviously had a good bit of trouble - little niggly issues, nothing major, but sometimes when they get to his age, they’re stronger horses” said winning rider Patrick Mullins.

“I think he’s only 80% ready there and we weren’t training him hard as we just wanted to get him to the track. We took the safety-first route there and it didn’t matter.

“Obviously with his pedigree (by New Bay) he could go back to the flat. I’d love for him to win a winners’ bumper and he has the size and scope to jump hurdles.

“There’s lots of options but there’s a big engine there if we can keep the chassis in one piece.”

Scored easily

Victory in the Supermac’s Maiden Hurdle looked to be on a plate for Mullins’ Supreme Novices’ Hurdle seventh Supersundae and so it proved as the 1/6 favourite scored easily in the hands of Kieran Callaghan to initiate the trainer’s double.

The Authorized gelding was pursued throughout by Kilkee Bay and readily pulled away from that one after the last for a 10 lengths success in the colours of the Roaringwater Syndicate.

Winning rider Kieran Callaghan said: “He was plenty keen everywhere but I suppose he was dropping in class a lot and was up in trip as well.

“He was only beaten 10 lengths at Cheltenham and he probably lost a couple of lengths at the second last when he kind of dragged his back legs through it. If he turned up in any kind of form like that today, he was going to do that.”

Conditional jockey Callaghan registered a double himself as 20/1 outsider Whatyouwant landed the Burke’s Clonbur Handicap Hurdle.

Trained in Tallow by Michael Griffin for owner David Grealish, the handicap debutant made gradual progress to lead on the run-in and scored by two lengths from Ask Cillian.

“Her jumping got better as she went through the race and she got into a nice rhythm,” said Callaghan. “She’s still plenty raw and wants nice ground and a trip.”

IN the frame twice at Naas last month, the 15/8 favourite Coillte Aris opened her account in the second division of the 80-85 handicap.

Stepping up in trip, the daughter of Soldier Of Fortune was positively ridden by Ricky Doyle and led from halfway to beat Roscomroe by four and three- quarter lengths.

Winning trainer Sonny Carey remarked: “I fancied her the last couple of times but she’s always worked a lot better than she ran.

“A great bunch of lads (I’m Going To No Home Syndicate) from Mullingar own her and I’m delighted for them.”

Wandering Rocks (4/1) was a popular winner of the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle for Bohola native Bill Durkan.

Oakley Brown, who steered Durkan’s Eagle Fang to score at the Punchestown Festival, produced the Ulysses gelding to lead close home for a length and a half victory over Drumgill.

Durkan’s assistant, Gary Bannon, said: “He’d a very good first run at Listowel but then probably got bogged down through the winter in the very soft ground. He’ll probably be a better horse stepping up in trip and could be a right horse around the summer tracks.”

Glory picks up the pace

FOUR-time hurdle winner Magnor Glory (6/1) won well on his fencing debut in the Burleigh Accountancy Group Beginners Chase for trainer Terence O’Brien and owners Barry Walsh and Joseph Sheahan.

The eight-year-old arrived from behind the leaders to lead on landing at the final fence and was pushed out to beat Maidenstreetprince by five and a half lengths.

Rider John Shinnick reported: “It was time to give chasing a try and he seemed to love it.

“Terence just said if it’s not happening, mind him and get him around safely and if it is happening, work away. When you’re riding with those instructions, you’re under no pressure.

“Terence and myself had a good time last season and I’ve four winners left on my 7lb claim after that.”

One-two

In-form Gavin Cromwell had a one-two in the KOG Logistics Handicap Chase with front-running Je T’ai Porte (22/1) readily beating stablemate Mister Wilson by 10 lengths.

Jockey Shane Fitzgerald was having just his fifth ride, and first winner, for Cromwell on the Poetry In Motion Syndicate-owned mare which raced keenly but jumped well.

“It’s nice to get one on the board for Gavin. I only started going in there recently and he’s been very good to me so far. He gives everybody that goes in there a chance.”

Shock winner

Monty’s Way, a fourth winner for jockey Conor Owens, caused a 40/1 upset in the West Tyre Opportunity Handicap Hurdle to roll back the years for trainer George Stanley

The six-year-old had previously won twice on the flat for Joseph O’Brien and led late on to beat Dreamz by three-parts of a length.

Restricted trainer Stanley stated: “I train at the back of Fairyhouse racecourse - that’s where my land is and I only have a couple of horses.

“It’s a long time since my last winner. Portrade won three for me about 10 years ago including a big handicap at Listowel.

“We’ve changed the way we train this horse and bring him to the beach in Mornington a couple of times a week. Ideally, he wants further but he enjoyed the drying ground.”