Review naas 14th Mar

Willie Mullins enjoyed a fantastic Cheltenham Festival and kept up his winning streak with a double at Naas, including Emma Jane s gutsy victory in the Lucan Racing Leinster National Handicap Chase.

Settled towards the rear of the field by Paul Townend, the 5-2 favourite slowly crept into the race on the final circuit and arrived on the scene travelling well three fences from the finish.

It was not plain sailing though, with leader Florida Express putting up a serious fight after the last, and only a short head separated the pair as Emma Jane got her head in front right on the line.

The www.naasracecourse.com Novice Hurdle only concerned two horses according to the betting market, and so it transpired.

The Mullins-trained Sports Line and Corskeagh Royale were sent off 11-8 joint-favourites and they were clear of the remainder approaching two out.

Ultimately, the former proved much the best, winning by 15 lengths and continuing the fine run of the Cheltenham Festival's leading jockey Ruby Walsh.

Walsh added another winner on board Joncol in the BBA Ireland Opera Hat Novice Chase.

Paul Nolan's charge was seeking a third fencing success from as many starts and scored as his 1-3 starting price entitled him to.< Travino and An Peinteir made the running, but the odds-on favourite was always moving sweetly just off the pace and he came through to win by 12 lengths.

Grand National runner-up King Johns Castle was the centre of attention in the Johnstown Handicap Hurdle, but he could not get seriously involved, finishing seventh behind Mystical Breeze (11-1), who held Prudent Honour by half a length.< Liscarton Oscar (11-2) provided Christy Donoghue with a first winner of the season when beating Halfback by four lengths in the Kilcullen Handicap Hurdle, while Ten Fires (9-4) opened his hurdling account at the sixth time of asking in the Lakelands Maiden Hurdle.

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