Fabulous performance from Saga Fabulous Saga came home a distance clear of his rivals in the Group 3 Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle. The Willie Mullins (completing a cross-card double after winning at Punchestown with Getabird) trained French bred won a point-to-point on debut at Borris House this day last year when trained by Michael Goff. He has since added wins at Tipperary, Ballinrobe and Listowel, and he was sent off a 3/1 chance this afternoon with a tongue strap fitted for the first time. Sent straight to the front by Danny Mullins, the Sullivan Bloodstock Limited owned gelding made all. He shook off the attentions of Monkshood from four out, and came home a massive seventy lengths clear of Burren Life (7/1) and Barry Geraghty in second. The aforementioned Monkshood was sent off the 11/8 favourite, and he trailed home in fourth. Danny Mullins said afterwards: "It's a big advantage riding for Willie as they're fit and keep galloping and I spoke to Ruby (Walsh) beforehand and he said he'd gallop all day. He said the last day here, he just didn't quicken but stayed all day and he said not to be afraid to let him at it. "I could hear nothing from the home bend and kept him balanced and got over the last few and it was a nice position to be in. "You'd have to imagine it (the first-time tongue strap) was definitely an advantage and it didn't slow me down anyway." STEWARDS REPORT * D.J. McInerney, rider of Granny Biddy trained by Michael Winters, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hated the ground and never travelled. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
