Mullins eyes Galway Hurdle for Williamstowndancer

Willie Mullins' Williamstowndancer the 5/6 favourite, wore down Benjis Benefit to land the concluding qualified riders' maiden in Leopardstown for the Blackrock Racing Syndicate.

This Grade 3 novice hurdle winner was making her first start since finishing placed in Grade 3 company at Down Royal last November.

She got to grips with 40/1 Benjis Benefit at the furlong pole and stayed on best under Patrick Mullins to score by a length and a-half. Somptueux (16/1) was a length and three-parts adrift of the runner-up.

Jockey Mullins said: “I think she just needed the run. It’s great for a local syndicate from Blackrock and I think there was 37 of them here today so the pressure was on.

“That’s great to get a flat win into that pedigree. She’s in foal to Fascinating Rock and we’ve leased her off John O’Connor (breeder).

“If we get into the Galway Hurdle we might go there next. The plan was to come here because the boys are all locals and hopefully that run will bring her on.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee