Sas completes doubles for Cooper & Mullins

Bel Sas provided Bryan Cooper and Willie Mullins with a double on the card, as he ran out an easy winner of the Western Motors Skoda Maiden Hurdle.

Successful in a bumper at Downpatrick in March, the French bred son of Balko since finished second at Limerick and Listowel respectively.

Making his debut over flights this evening he was sent off the 8/11 favourite in the colours of Gigginstown House Stud.

In a share of the lead for much of the contest, he took up the running with a circuit to race. He went a few lengths clear after three out, and never came off the bridle, going on to score easily by six and a half lengths. Big Bad Brian for trainer/rider Denis Hogan, kept on to take second at 16/1, while Wee Small Hours (33/1) completed the placings a further nine lengths back in third under Conor Maxwell for Dermot McLoughlin.

Bryan Cooper, who was returning today after just over a month on the sidelines, said afterwards: "He did it well and jumped very well.

"He was a little bit keen and just doing more than I wanted but I was able to get a few breathers into him.

"A horse half came to him at the last and when I gave him a squeeze he quickened up so there was plenty there.

"He's a good ground horse and we'll see where Willie wants to go with him. He's been on the go a while but good ground is the key to him."

Cooper had earlier scored aboard Winter Lion while Willie Mullins took the opener with Bamako Moriviere

Additional reporting by Gary Carson