WILLIE Mullins was present in Thurles last Sunday to see one half of an across-the-card four-timer, with Asian Master and Femme Magnifique scoring for the champion trainer at the Tipperary track.

The former was noteworthy for Mullins as he was renewing an old alliance by providing amateur jockey Thomas Costello with his first winner on his family’s Asian Master (7/1) in the Thank You For Supporting Us 2023 Maiden Hurdle.

Costello (22) was having his first ride against professional jockeys and having raced the pace on Asian Master, led four out and beat stablemate and evens favourite Jimmy Du Seuil by three-parts of a length.

Costello is a grandson of late renowned Clare horse trader Tom Costello, from whom Mullins bought his first champion Florida Pearl, and is a son of former champion point-to-point rider Tony Costello.

Shot

“I did four years in college in Limerick Institute of Technology and wanted to give riding a shot,” the winning rider said. “We thought this was a decent horse so we said we’d send him to Willie’s and that I’d go as well. I started there six weeks ago and have picked up plenty of experience.

“I didn’t know who was behind me but after passing the line I could hear Paul (Townend) say ‘well done’.

“I couldn’t believe it and it is great that mam and dad are here - Mam was the one who pushed to keep the horse despite offers coming in.

“Myself and Dad have had good luck selling horses in recent years and I love it. I try to keep my weight under control and watch it as much as I can.”

Mullins added: “It is great for Tom Costello to ride his first winner and I think the winner’s jumping was sharp and all his point-to-pointing experience came into play.

“With his pedigree I didn’t think he could win over this trip but to be able to win on a sharp track like this, on this ground, means he must be a nice horse for the future.”

Mullins completed his four-timer in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bumper as Femme Magnifique (11/8 favourite) scored readily in the Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd colours and for his son Patrick Mullins.

Mullins senior stated: “She did that very well. I am happy she showed her true colours on the race track as things haven’t gone right with her in the autumn.

“I took a chance and ran her and she has done it well. I imagine she will stick to bumpers rather than going jumping as she can do that next season.”

WILLIE Mullins had a reversal in the featured Listed Billy Harney Memorial Novice Hurdle as his Fun Fun Fun looked set for victory but blundered badly jumping the final flight, leaving J.P. McManus’ Birdie Or Bust (7/2) to score for jockey Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead.

“Obviously we got a bit of luck but she ran really well and we were delighted with her,” de Bromhead said. “She definitely wasn’t herself in the north the last day but looked back to herself today with the way she jumped and travelled.

“We will get her home and see what everyone would like to do. She has options and is a lovely mare.”

An hour and 10 minutes later de Bromhead and stable jockey Blackmore completed doubles as Easy Fella (4/1) won the Horse & Jockey Hotel Rated Novice Hurdle for the Four In One Syndicate.

“He stays well and is a really nice horse,” said de Bromhead. “He jumps well despite making a few little mistakes down the back straight but we can work on that. He really galloped all the way to the line and anything over hurdles is a bonus as with the size and scope of him, he looks like a chaser all over.

“Dermot (Cunningham) and the lads sent him in to us and I’m delighted for them.”

The 10-year-old Pakens Rock (16/1) registered a ninth career success in the Safe & Happy Christmas Handicap Hurdle for trainer Barry Murphy, jockey Robbie Geoghegan and owner Ray Healy.

Pakens Rock’s first win was at today’s venue in a 2018 bumper and having also landed a 2020 course hurdle, also won twice at Kilbeggan and four times at his local Galway.

Today jockey Geoghegan held the son of Central Park in mid-field, with the pair powering home on the run-in, to score by three and a quarter lengths from Big Island.

Trainer Murphy was on lead-up duty and mentioned: “That’s nine wins and I’m delighted, although his owner Ray (Healy) couldn’t be here today. He runs with his heart on his sleeve every day.”

RACING began with the Molony Cup Chase, which was won by Toofareastiswest (7/1), who was produced by Danny Gilligan from mid-field to lead at the last and beat Lady Kate by a length and a half.

The winner carries the colours of the Men From The East Syndicate and afterwards trainer Arthur O’Grady reported: “This is my first winner for a good few years (January 2004) so it is nice to get it as Eoghan (son, previous licence holder and now manager of Cork Racecourse) got a promotion!

“Toofareastiswest had a good long break before he came back in October and he has improved every day. He deserved his turn and will go for something similar. We need to get the ground and the distance for him so we’ll see what’s available.”

The other chase on the card formed part of the Adare Manor Opportunity Series and was won by diminutive Willywampus (8/1), which saw jockey Ben Harvey lose his 3lb claim and earned him praise from winning connections.

Successful trainer Eamonn Courtney wasn’t present but his assistant Philip O’Brien reported: “He is extremely tough and is free-going so not every rider suits him. It was Ben’s first time on his back and gave him an unbelievable ride.

“He is tiny but has a big heart. When the owners bought him I actually said ‘what possessed someone to school him over fences!’ He is a lovely horse though and is a credit to everyone.

“He is rated a lot lower over hurdles but while he is running so well over fences, why stop? He wants good ground and got yielding today.”