DANNY Mullins stole the show at Tramore’s final fixture of 2023 by registering a 500th success in Ireland when partnering Leish Oscars Son to victory in the Doneraile Walk Beginners Chase.

Getting in as a reserve, the Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old raced in mid-division and was a bit short of room on the approach to the penultimate fence.

Soon brought to the outer, the Mark Murray and Grant Harrison-owned 11/2 chance swept through to lead on the approach to the last and, despite jumping left there, he stretched clear on the run-in to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Keen to deflect praise, Mullins said: “It’s a nice milestone to achieve but I don’t think much of it is down to me. It’s the people I’m riding for, the great owners, trainers and stable staff. All I do is turn up on the day and do five minute’s work, so it’s a lot of people behind the scenes that have made this happen.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, the 31-year-old quickly doubled-up aboard Kings Halo in the Ladies Cove Handicap Chase.

Beaten by just a neck at Clonmel earlier in the month, the James Dullea-trained eight-year-old came in for good market support and was sent off at 5/2 (from 10/3).

Pushed along in fifth after three out, the Fame And Glory bay found plenty for pressure and got to the front before the last, going on to beat Rochestown by a length and a quarter.

“He probably ran into one the last day as it was 20 lengths back to the third,” Dullea, who trains the winner for the Kings Halo Partnership, stated.

“I think Danny gave him an unbelievable ride. He might go to Limerick at Christmas now or come back here on New Year’s Day.”

WHILE omitted hurdles - due to the low-lying sun - marred the first three races, it mattered little to Conor Owens, with the 26-year-old Co Carlow conditional registering his first success aboard Blossom De Mai in the mares’ handicap hurdle.

Sent off the outsider of the field at 22/1 (50s early), the Philip Rothwell-trained six-year-old raced in rear before making progress on the outer early in the straight.

Ridden to challenge over a furlong from home, she soon swept to the front and asserted in the closing stages, with two and a quarter lengths the margin of victory.

Carrying the colours of Jonathan Humphreys, Nick Courtney, Declan O’Dwyer and the executors of the late Felix Byrne, it was a poignant success for connections, with Rothwell explaining: “Felix Byrne, who was a huge part of the syndicate, passed away a few months ago and he would have loved this moment.”

Just four of the intended 10 hurdles were jumped in the opening maiden hurdle, with Soldante (7/1) springing a surprise under Eoin Walsh.

Widely expected to justify 2/9 favouritism, Jolie Coeur Allen improved to lead with just under a circuit to go and appeared to be travelling best inside the final furlong.

However, she failed to put the race to bed under Mark Walsh and couldn’t hold off the late surge of the Ciaran Murphy-trained victor, ultimately going down by half a length.

Murphy said of the Soldier Of Fortune bay, who is owned by Pat McCormack, his son David and partner Sarah Glynn: “He just had one go at the favourite and showed plenty of resolution to get the job done.”

While out of luck with Jolie Coeur Allen, Willie Mullins didn’t leave Graun Hill empty-handed, striking with Where’s My Jet in the concluding Garrarus Beach (Ladies Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Previously in the care of Cormac Farrell and an encouraging fourth on his racecourse debut at Galway, the Jet Away four-year-old was sent off the clear favourite at 2/9, carrying the colours of the Two Lucky Men Partnership.

Always prominent under Jody Townend, the victor quickened clear when pushed along from the furlong pole, going on to account for The Last Drop by almost four lengths.

“Rachel (Robins), who is leading him up, does all the work with him,” Townend revealed. “He was entitled to do it on form and he gave me a good feel.”

IN the Kenny Alexander silks immortalised by Honeysuckle, Banprionsa (2/5 favourite) was made to work for her win in the mares’ maiden hurdle. Successful on her sole point-to-point start when in the care of Richard Black, and second on her debut for current connections at Cork, the Kayf Tara five-year-old was expected to regain the winning thread.

Just six of the intended 12 hurdles were jumped in this two-mile, five-furlong affair, with the Rachael Blackmore-ridden winner pushed along to challenge from early in the straight.

Taking over from Rachel’s Secret when ridden a furlong from home, the market leader drew clear in the closing stages and beat her aforementioned rival by two lengths.

“It was tough work, the ground looks horrible and the lack of hurdles was quite frustrating,” winning trainer Henry de Bromhead remarked.

“She is a real staying type and jumps really well. There is a blacktype race at Limerick over Christmas and she could go for that.”

There was further joy for favourite backers in the low-grade handicap hurdle, with the Ted Walsh-trained Buachaillbocht landing a gamble under Mark Walsh. Available at 8s in early shows, the J.P. McManus-owned five-year-old eventually went off a 3/1 chance.

He was settled in mid-division on what was his first try in handicap company. Improving to challenge before the last, the Blue Bresil gelding got to the front shortly after that flight and, despite idling on the run-in, he came home three quarters of a length in front of Kiln Time.

“He jumps well and idled a bit today but he beat the horse (Kiln Time) he had to beat,” the winning trainer commented. “With a bit of luck he can put it together and win another one.”