Four for Mullins as Blazer wins well

Blazer made it four winners on the day for Willie Mullins as he ran out an easy winner of the 1888 Restaurant Handicap Hurdle.

An eye-catching third on his Irish debut at Punchestown in December, the French import disappointed on his most recent effort when last of nine in the race won by Zabana at the course over Christmas.

Both those runs were over fences and back over hurdles today he was sent off the 9/2 second favourite under Barry Geraghty for JP McManus (both completing doubles).

Having raced mainly in fourth the chestnut son of Network improved into second after two out, travelling strongly on the outer.

He hit the front after the last and was pushed out in the closing stages, going on to score by a comfortable three and a half lengths. Mighty Concorde (7/1 to 6/1 on-course) ran well to finish second under Bryan Cooper for Jim Culloty, while Joshua Lane (14's last night and from 6/1 to 7/1 on-course) was a length and three parts back in third under Mark Walsh for Eddie Harty. All You Need was sent off the 4/1 favourite (from 7's last night and from 5's on-course) but she could offer no more once headed two out, finishing eighth under Adrian Heskin for Alan Fleming.

Willie Mullins said afterwards: "Fences were not his first love so we said that we would go back hurdling at this stage of the year.

"He took to hurdles far better and jumped well. He’ll stay handicapping and being by Network should be able to go out in trip."

Barry Geraghty added: "He ran well first time at Punchestown and then disappointed us completely the last day here where he made a bad mistake at the first.

"He seems to cope well with those conditions, it was similar in Punchestown, it was desperate ground. He travelled well and kept going nicely on it."

Paddy Power make Blazer the 10/1 favourite (first show) for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham next month.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee