Maid puts Mullins two up

Patrick Mullins moved two ahead of Nina Carberry in the race for the amateur's crown when guiding Maid From Milan to a comprehensive four length win in the Saltan Properties Maiden Hurdle.

In front after the second, the daughter of Milan (easy in the market) jumped well and she fairly easily shrugged aside the gambled-on Lord Ben (13/2 in the morning into 5/2) going to the last. Aughwilliam Lady didn't go unbacked either and she finished a further six lengths back in third.

Successful trainer, Willie Mullins said: "That was a smart performance first time over hurdles. Those easyfix hurdles can be a bit scary for horses at times. I think she has the pace to win a flat race so we'll mix-it with her. It's the owners (Ethel & Brian Keenan from Roscommon) first home-bred so they're delighted."

The Keenans had the classy Sir Oj in training with Noel Meade in the past. That son of Be My Native won some good races in his time and had ten wins to his name at the end of his career.