Bird flies around to give Mullins Graded double

A double for Willie Mullins sandwiched a success for his brother Tony, and Closutton's Getabird rounded things off when demolishing the opposition in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown.

Under Patrick Mullins, Getabird was really impressive from the front, careering away up the run-in to beat Mengli Khan by nine lengths.

That Grade 1 Royal Bond hero couldn't match former Colin Bowe point-to-pointer Getabird in the jumping stakes.

Allied to that, given their respective backgrounds, it was amazing to see the turn of pace Susannah and Rich Ricci's Getabird was able to display, to put a seal on things.

Non-runner no-bet now, Paddy Power are 7/2 from 8/1 (clipped into 5s initially) on Getabird for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. With the same concession Powers go 6/1 from 8/1 about the Getaway gelding for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

It's five from five for Getabird at this stage, since an early 'run-out' on his debut 'between the flags.'

Willie Mullins also won the 1.00 with Invitation Only (David Mullins up) whilst brother Tony took the 1.35 with Glencairn View (Liam Quinlan in the saddle).

"Patrick getting down to 11st 2lb paid off!" said Willie Mullins.

"He jumped fantastic and way better than his first run. I was a bit worried would he be able to jump at the speed they would be going here.

"He jumped out, made his own running, and jumped very well. I'm very happy to have won that race with him.

"All the rain we got last night was a big help to him but certainly he seemed to have plenty of pace there.

"I don't know what route we're going to go but you'd have to think as a Supreme Novices trial that he'd be good enough for that, but he'll certainly be entered for the other races like the Ballymore.

"Jumping the way he did that brings the Supreme Novice into the picture. After his first run I was a little bit worried but certainly the way he was there he'd be well able to jump with any novice.

"The speed he showed was very good. He got a nice bunch of horses off the bridle and we're on the way up I think.

"He's staying sound so fingers crossed. I don't know yet if he'll go straight to Cheltenham. We'll see how he comes out of it.

"Carter Mckay (3rd home) had a nice run but he'll have to go up in trip I'd think."

Meanwhile on Invitation Only he reflected: "He was very good and I thought his jumping was very good.

"I thought he was only idling in front. He's a horse that's starting to show the promise he showed early in his career.

"It's a nice stepping stone for him. If he goes to Cheltenham he might go straight there. We were looking at the Dublin festival race but maybe we don't need to go there and he could just go straight to Cheltenham for something there.

"We'd be looking at a longer trip I suppose as he stays and he jumps. He can run in anything."

(GC & EM)