Deserved win for Sam as he gets off the mark After a string of good efforts, Sam Da Vinci finally got off the mark as he took the Fran Murrin Memorial Maiden Hurdle under Danny Mullins for his father Tony. The six-year-old son of Black Sam Bellamy had been placed in bumpers and maiden hurdles, but he disappointed on his last outing at Bellewstown, finishing a well-beaten fifth behind Golden Wonder over three miles. Dropped by a furlong in trip, to two mile seven this afternoon, the Barry Connell owned gelding opened at 11/8 with Paddy Power this morning, going from 5/4 to 11/10 on-course. Third at the halfway stage, he was pushed along three out and was ridden into second after two out. He came with his challenge before the last, jumping to the front there before keeping on well up the straight to score by two lengths at the line. Butney Boy (6/1) attempted to make all under Ben Dalton for Colin McBratney, but he couldn't match the winner away from the last and had to settle for second, while Nell’s Nan was three and three parts of a length back in third under Mark Bolger for John McConnell at 9/1. Tony Mullins, who was recording his first winner since March, said afterwards: "Danny said he hit a bit of a flat spot so he gave him a few pushes and he came back on the bridle. "He lacks confidence but hopefully he’ll progress from this. It is amazing how long it has taken him to win a race. "He is a sound horse and he has the scope to make into a nice handicap chaser.” Danny Mullins added: "It was never in doubt to be honest. I was always confident I was getting there and he certainly seems to stay well." Sam Da Vinci cost €32,000 as a three-year-old at Goffs and he is a half-brother to three time winner Scouting Party. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
