Willie Mullins’ excellent recent form continued at Gowran today, winning the opening Ronan Lawlor Memorial Beginners Chase with Tawaag, under Paul Townend.

The son of Kyllachy moved to the front before the final fence eventually running on well for a comfortable eight lengths win win over Jaffonnien

Afterwards Mullins stated “you’d have to be happy with Tawaag after that as he hates that ground. Paul (Townend) said he jumped a bit sticky early on and while he’ll have to brush up on that, he could be a stone better on better ground.”

When asked whether or not Tawaag will run at Cheltenham, Mullins joked “if he stays at home who’s going to be left to look after him?!”

Mullins initially indicated that the Arkle Chase would be Tawaag's target but the Champion Trainer can be forgiven an odd mistake, in that his gelding does not hold an entry in that Cheltenham race.

The race was named in honour of Ronan Lawlor, a good friend of the Mullins family who died following a tragic fall while riding out a year ago.

Thomas Weekes