Mullins picks up 'annual cheque' at Tramore

“It's great to get the annual cheque from David Flynn!” quipped Willie Mullins at Tramore today, following his fourth consecutive win in the racecourse's yearly opening David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle, with Quais De Paris (1/5f).

Placed third on Compiegne debut in October 2021 before selling for €180,000 to Rich Ricci the following month, five-year-old Quais De Paris circumvented the same owner's 'Vauban-route' to Cheltenham, today returning from a 428 days absence with a workmanlike defeat of Birdie Or Bust

Trainer Mullins added “I think he is a nice horse but he didn't win like I thought he would. I think he is a good horse but the ground out there is very testing after the rain last night.

“Paul kept it simple, went around the outside and just kept out of trouble. I think he is a horse you can follow for the rest of the season. I'm hoping he will upgrade now into listed and graded races."

Winning jockey Paul Townend said "he showed a lovely attitude. He had the run in France to his name and he jumped great today. The ground is very testing but he stayed well on it."

Quotes from Donal Murphy