Sands has Listowel rivals all at Sea Former German Group 3 winner Sea Of Sands overcame a two-year absence when making a successful debut for Willie Mullins in the opening McSweeney Brothers Maiden Hurdle at Listowel. Having his first start since August 2022, the six-year-old was produced in prime condition, displaying far too much class for his ten opponents in this contest. Racing somewhat keenly in the initial stages, Patrick Mullins was content to track Special Cadeau over the first two flights, before allowing the 15/8f stride on after the third. From halfway, the race only really concerned three horses, with The Mediator joining the aforementioned pair out in front. Special Cadeau was the first of the leaders to crack, weakening before the home straight. The Mediator was pushed along before two out and was fighting a losing battle when a less than fluent jump at the last ended any faint hopes. Sea Of Sands barely had to be taken off the bridle, coasting to an impressive five length victory under the champion amateur jockey. “It was a nice start. He's a horse we got from Germany but he's had a lot of issues,” said Willie Mullins. “He just started to come right in the last couple of months and I thought we'd pick out a nice maiden hurdle for him. “He did it nicely. He jumped the first well but I think that was probably the only one he jumped well! “He'll probably have to learn. He was just a bit keen as a lot of those Flat horses are. “We'll look at mixing it with him. There might be a nice Flat race in him before the season ends.” The winner holds a Cesarewitch entry and when asked if he could go there he added:- “He could do, if he comes out of that alright.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
