18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Mullins bags treble courtesy of Al Boum Photo

Sun 2nd Apr 2017, 16:39

Al Boum Photo hits the front as Minella Till Dawn crashes out of contentionAl Boum Photo hits the front as Minella Till Dawn crashes out of contention
© Photo Healy Racing

Al Boum Photo brought up a treble for Willie Mullins when keeping on best in the Grade Two novice hurdle over two and a half miles in Fairyhouse.

The 10/1 shot raced in last place as Le Martalin made a mistake and yielded the lead at the third last. Stand Up And Fight and Invitation Only led the field round the home bend with fully six horses bunching in behind.

Al Boum Photo passed Livelovelaugh entering the straight and began to creep closer to the leaders under Paul Townend.

He was fifth at the penultimate hurdle and made good headway at the last to be on terms between Runfordave and Minella Till Dawn who crashed out.

Al Boum Photo was driven out on the run-in to account for Stand Up And Fight (25/1) and Runfordave (13/2).

The winning margin was four lengths.

Willie Mullins ran three in the race - 11/10 favourite Invitation Only came in sixth while Livelovelaugh finished fourth.

Willie Mullins said: "That was a great performance. Paul said he was very green and wanted every inch of it. We will probably move him up to three miles at Punchestown.

"He's learning all the time. Jumping is his game and he'll go chasing next season. I was hoping he would go well but that is better than I thought he was at this stage of his career.

"I haven't spoken to Ruby yet but Invitation Only moved nicely into the straight and then went out like a light. There may be something wrong with him. Livelovelaugh got into a bit of trouble but then ran on nicely."

The other Mullins winners on today's card - Ballycasey and Bleu Berry - were partnered by Ruby Walsh.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee