Willie Mullins saddled the 1st and 3rd in the Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Mares Auction Maiden Hurdle at Clonmel as Kalanisi Og justified odds of 1/4.

There was a brief window of opportunity for the front-runner’s rivals when she clipped the second last under Patrick Mullins.

However she quickened smartly when required after that to beat Family Business and her stable companion Equilibrium by three lengths and the same.

Family Business, from the much respected Donal Coffey outfit, carries the same moniker as a 1996 Over The River gelding.

He was involved in a remarkable race at Southwell in 2002 when Tony McCoy remounted him to win, after an unseat, and he finished alone.

That’s available to watch on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIxIH7tApfE

"Thanks to the boys (Lions Mouth Racing Club) and to Paul (Townend) for letting me ride the mare; I know the owners quite well and a winner now is the same as a winner in April towards the Championship, so it was no harm to take it when the chance was there," said Patrick Mullins.

"Her hurdling is still novicey but I think it will improve the faster she goes and today we were only hacking around. She seemed to handle that ground, it is deep but quite loose. I'd imagine we'll look for a mares' Listed hurdle next and we could look across the water and see what's over there.

"The turnout was disappointing but the idea behind the race is a good idea. There should be plenty of mares sold for less than E30,000 and I think when people saw that, it'll grow, and that is the point of it. I don't think it should be judged by its first or second running. Over time it will serve a very good purpose.

"Today was the first ride I've used this season against professionals (on non-family owned horses) and I have 20 of those rides left until the season ends in April/May."

J.P. O'Sullivan, rider of Aurora Sunrise trained by P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount choked in-running.

(TW & EM)