Jazzaway (Paul Townend) and Annamix (Danny Mullins) were the earlier Willie Mullins winners at Fairyhouse, and a hat-trick for Closutton was brought up by Patrick in the bumper on Five Bar Brian

This Irish Stallion Farms EBF Auction INH Flat Race saw newcomers Harry Alonzo (9/2 into 100/30) and I A Connect (5/4 favourite) well touted.

However Five Bar Brian (9/2) showed the benefit of the experience he picked up when second at Newcastle 749 days back.

That effort was for Tim Reed, but starting off here for Mullins the son of Elusive Pimpernel accounted for aforementioned opponents, Harry Alonzo, and I A Connect, by a length and a quarter and thirteen lengths.

David Casey, representing Mullins, said: “He had been working well but we genuinely thought he'd need the run after being off for so long.

“He obviously had an injury so we were kind of minding him a little bit.

“Patrick said he did it well and handled the ground well. We think he can definitely improve off it.

“He said he wasn't loving it in behind. Hopefully he can go on to better things now.”

(GC & EM)