Medici takes novice in style Willie Mullins doubled up at Fairyhouse today when Sempre Medici ran out an impressive winner of the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle. Ruby Walsh's mount moved smoothly through to challenge at the second last in the two-mile contest and was soon in control. He kept on strongly in the closing stages to post a comprehensive five-and-a-half length win over Identity Thief. The winner had been sixth behind stable-mate Wicklow Brave in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham last month. "That showed what running in a competitive handicap does for them. He was well able to jump back against novices and it gave him a different dimension," said Mullins. "As the spring goes on he's going to get better and we'll look to Punchestown now."
