Cousin Vinny up and running at Leopardstown
Willie Mullins’ Cheltenham Bumper winner Cousin Vinny opened his account over hurdles at the second time of asking in the Durkan New Homes Maiden Hurdle on the first day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
Third on his hurdling bow in a Grade One event, in which he came up against stable companion Hurricane Fly and Donnas Palm, there was nothing of that class in this.
Settled not too far off the pace by young Patrick Mullins, who has now ridden the five-year-old in all of his races, the 4-9 favourite only had to be pushed out after the last to beat Harro The Hero by eight lengths.
Cousin Vinny was cut by VC Bet from 5-1 into 7-2 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Blue Square now offer 4s (also from 5-1).
Patrick Mullins said: "That was brilliant, he got in tight to one or two but I was thrilled with that.
“He’ll jump fences, no bother, as he has so much scope. He’s a great ride because he only does what you want him to. He’s not lazy, but he only does as much as he has to do.
“He didn’t need to improve to win this. It was a little race but at least they went a gallop, which was great.”
Willie Mullins added: "This was a big-pressure ride for Patrick and he handled it very well. The horse jumped fantastically.
“He fiddled the last, which was great because he will have to learn how to do that for the future.
“I still have an open mind regarding my top horses but Cousin Vinny will definitely now step back up in grade.”
