Another French flier for Mullins Urticaire, a five-time winner in French bumpers, got her jumping career off to a great start for new connections when taking the Dunmoe Mares Maiden Hurdle in tremendous style. Davy Russell tracked the leaders throughout and sent the Gigginstown-owned five-year-old to the front two out. The 4/6 favourite jumped a bit right at the last but soon asserted on the run-in for a very easy four and a half lengths verdict over Katie T. Ballychorus made a pleasing debut in third, while the Aidan O’Brien-trained Beach Of Falesa spoiled her chance by running quite freely and finished in fourth. Patrick Mullins, representing his father Willie, said “She won five bumpers in France and is a half-sister to Trifolium. That’s what we were expecting. She can be a bit of a French filly but her lad David Thomas has done a great job getting her settled and to race professionally. “She can be a bit on her toes but settled well today and Davy gave her a lovely ride. Hopefully she will be a black-type mare.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
