Nos Na Gaoithe in charge© Photo Healy Racing
Danny Mullins enjoyed an all-the-way success aboard Nos Na Gaoithe in the Carney's Eating House Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe to give him a double on the card.
The pair set off in front from flagfall and were some 10 lengths clear of the field at the fourth last. The five-year-old mare wasn't foot perfect in her jumping today, but she had plenty in the tank.
The pursuers tried to cut into the lead after two out but Nos Na Gaoithe scooted away again before the final flight and won well by 13 lengths for Willie Mullins.
She was backed down from 6/4 to 10/11 favourite. One of her main market rivals, Evergreen And Red, was a late scratch due to the going. Nonbinding finished a remote second at 15/2 and was a length up on L'un Deux Trois (18/1).
Jockey Mullins said: "It was a good performance. She'd hit the crossbar over hurdles already but has always run well.
"Her jumping was fine for the most part. I'd say the odd one I missed was probably due to being on her own in front. If I'd had company, she would have been perfect.
"She handled the ground this evening which is fairly lively out there. Hopefully she'll build on that and find a nice novice (hurdle) somewhere in the autumn."
Mullins booted home Surac in the preceding 3YO hurdle on the card.
Additional reporting by Mark Nunan
