Illusion makes it two from two in style

Royal Illusion made it two from two in style, as she blitzed her rivals in the last at Cork, the Christmas Party Packages December 9th Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

Successful on debut at Punchestown last month, the Willie Mullins trained six-year-old was expected to follow-up this afternoon, going off the clear 4/6 favourite in the colours of Ballylinch Stud.

In front early on under Patrick Mullins, the daughter of King's Theatre was soon headed and dropped to third.

She travelled best to regain the lead over two furlongs out, and was soon pushed clear, going on to score easily by fourteen lengths.

Recent Wexford winner Owenacurra Lass (10/3) finished second under Declan Queally, while Ghurba (8/1) was another six lengths back in third.

The winning rider said afterwards: "She is very good. At home she doesn't show anything at all but on the track she just transforms; she is like the batmobile!

"She is one of the last King's Theatre's and it's great for Ballylinch to get a good one. I've no doubt she's up to getting black-type.

"There's a great programme for mares looking for black-type and we'll bring her back in the spring for Fairyhouse and Punchestown. I'd have a question mark against heavy ground but she has an awful lot of ability and will be going for black-type next time."

Willie Mullins was completing a double on the card, having earlier won the second race with Robin De Carlow

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes