Kawaboomga could be Cheltenham bound after maiden win

Kawaboomga completed a quick double for Willie Mullins at Fairyhouse when gaining a hard-earned victory in what looked a quality renewal of the SBK Maiden Hurdle. William Munny set the pace in this two-mile event where the top four in the market were clear of the remainder from before halfway.

The front-runner kept on gamely but was eventually worn down by the 11/10 favourite on the run-in with Mark Walsh’s mount prevailing by a length and a half. Koktail Divin couldn’t find any extra after two out finishing 22 lengths back in third.

Mullins said, "He did that very well, he improved nicely for the experience in Leopardstown.

“He would look to me like a horse that will stay much further.

“He’s entered in all those novice hurdles at Cheltenham but looking at that performance and listening to Mark I’d think we’d be looking at the Turners or the Albert Bartlett.

“I think the Turners would look to me where I’d like to be going at this point in time.

“We were a little worried between the fourth and third last, I just thought Mark was having to niggle him. Maybe he had no company at that stage and the horse was just idling a bit.

“Definitely he was doing his best work from the last home. It would lead you to believe, with his pedigree as well, that stamina won’t be a problem.”

Mullins also saddled Aurora Vega to win the previous Grade 3 feature, the Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.

Quotes by Gary Carson