Danny & Mags score with Down In Neworleans

Down In Neworleans maintained his 100% strike rate over fences as he took the Guinness Summer Series Novice Chase for the mother and son team of Mags and Danny Mullins.

The 6yo son of Saddlers' Hall made a successful debut over fences on his last start at Roscommon in early May beating subsequent scorer Gudnis Gracious Me by a length and a quarter.

In what looked a competitive contest today, the 8/1 (from 10's this morning) winner was always close up. He made a mistake at the fourth, but recovered well from that and disputed the lead before the second last.

He then edged ahead in the straight as the eventual second Gracchus (9/1) strongly pressed him for the lead, but he stayed on well on the stands rail to score by three and a half lengths.

Spill the Beans ran a great race to finish a further length and a half back in third at 12/1, after he made a bad mistake three out, while Slieveardagh kept on well to finish fourth.

Winning trainer Mags Mullins said afterwards: "He did it well on his first start since Roscommon. I was afraid he lacked experience as he only had one run over fences.

"He will come back here again next month.

"He is a full brother Chomba Womba and Danny had his first winner over fences on him at Roscommon."

Poor jumping let down Darenjan (7/1) & Black Jack Blues (4/1) who both pulled up, while the favourite Alpine Eagle at 5/2 could only manage fifth.

Donal Murphy