Good Mullins run continues
Willie Mullins unleashed yet another potential star as Aughaloor strolled to victory in the Bobbyjo Bistro Maiden at Fairyhouse.
Making only his third start under Rules following two outings in bumpers last season, the eight-year-old oozed class on his hurdling debut.
Settled in mid-division by Paul Townend, he did not make his move until approaching the final flight where the 5-2 shot was allowed to ease home to win by a length and a half.
Mullins was represented by his assistant, Harold Kirk, who said: “We think he’s a very good horse who could go to the very top.
“He will be aimed at the three-mile novice at Cheltenham as he stays, jumps and goes on any ground.
“He has just been a bit unfortunate not to have realised his full potential so far.”
Stan James were impressed enough to introduce him into their betting at 25-1 for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in March.
Mullins also sent out Enterprise Park in the Murphy Signs Beginners Chase, who was well fancied for the Albert Bartlett last year but he fell early on.
The race went to Bob Lingo in good style, trained by Mullins’ brother, Tom and ridden by Mark Walsh.
“They gave him a bit of a lead at the start but he won well in the end. We’ll see what JP (McManus, owner) and Frank (Berry, racing manager) say now before making plans,” said the winning trainer.
The valuable Porterstown Handicap Chase went the way of Droim Toll (10-1), who helped Townend bring up his treble after a victory on Might Be Magic (7-1) in the Ashbourne Handicap Hurdle.
Donal Hassett’s Droim Toll benefited from the last fence fall of Rocco’s Hall who gave Andrew McNamara a heavy tumble and he missed his final ride.
“Droim Toll wasn’t right at Limerick but I don’t know why. However he stays all day and goes on that ground. He had a wind operation last season and I was reasonably confident coming here today,” said Hassett.
Willie Mullins was also on the mark with the classy Barker (5-1) at Tramore in the Holden Plant Rentals Chase.
Mullins’ son Patrick said: “That was great. We just ran him to get his confidence back. We didn’t expect him to win like that. He’ll step back up in grade now and he has always been a classy horse but last season was a bit of a disaster.
“It’s great for the owner, Eamonn Duignan, after Secant Star broke his pelvis yesterday.
“It’s a nice change of fortune for him. Dad was saying on the phone that David (Casey) gets on very well with him (Barker) and he is a horse that can run over a variety of trips.”
The younger Mullins also partnered his father’s Sir Vincent (3-1) to victory in the Richard Barron Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
