Willie Mullins was a fitting winner of the opening race of 2021 as the Champion Trainer's Christmas onslaught continued at Tramore today with Mr Coldstone who overcame an 891 days absence to win the opening David Flynn Construction Maiden Hurdle.

Mr Coldstone debuted for Mullins having raced three times in 2018, as a two year old, for trainer Johnny Murtagh and today belied a big market drift (morning 3/1, to 8/1) when comfortably beating 4/9 favourite Not Available

It was Mullins' 19th winner this Christmas, supplied by eight different jockeys, and after his latest win reported “that was a nice performance. Paul (Townend, winning jockey) said he jumped well and he took a good blow so he thinks he will improve again.

“We will just go up in grade with him now. I'm very happy to see him coming off three runs on the flat over less than seven furlongs to be able to settle back into jump racing. I thought that might be a big ask for him on his first run over hurdles, but he did it well and Paul was very happy with him.

“He looks a nice strong type and he will probably be a nice dual-purpose horse for Mr Bobbett."

Quotes from Donal Murphy