Wharf wins for King's Walsh & Mullins King's Wharf made up for the disappointment of Penhill in the opener, as he took the Europe Hotel & Resort Handicap Hurdle under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins. Having disappointed on his first two starts for Mullins, the seven-year-old son of Clodovil put in a much improved performance to finish sixth behind Coolfighter at Wexford. He was fifth on his most recent start at Bellewstown, and he was sent off an 11/2 chance (from 13/2) this afternoon. Settled behind the leaders on the inner, he was switched to the outer after the third last, and jumped the next in second. He was ridden to lead before the last, and despite a sloppy jump there, he kept on well on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter. Icelip, who was sent off the 5/1 favourite, hit the front after three out but ultimately had to settle for second under Paul Townend for David O'Brien. He's Our Robin (14/1) was four and three parts of a length back in third under Niall Madden for Tom Mullins, while Our Jerry (11/2) completed the placings, a further two and three parts of a length back in fourth under Rachael Blackmore for Evanna McCutcheon. Bank Man (33's last night and from 16's to 12's on-course) and Blackthorn Prince (14's to 8's on-course) both came in for market support, and they finished eighth and eleventh respectively. Ruby Walsh said afterwards: "His first run (for Mullins) was bad and his second run was a disaster so it wasn't hard to improve on that. His run at Wexford was an improvement, he improved again at Bellewstown and improved again today." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
