Following on from wins for Colreevy and Allaho earlier under Paul Townend, there was a third Willie Mullins winner on the day when Eurotiep (6/4 out to 15/8 2nd favourite) took the Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle at Thurles in the hands of Aubrey McMahon.

Owned by a grouping, the Down The Hatch Syndicate, that includes McMahon’s father Luke, bumper scorer Eurotiep made a smart introduction to the jumping game in this extended mile seven contest, accounting for Stranger Danger and Rebel Ivy (a 200/1 shot) by nineteen lengths and a length and a quarter.

Eurotiep flicked his way out through the penultimate flight, but he was well on his way to a convincing success at that stage.

The gambled-on James Fort (40/1 — 50/1 — 7/1) could manage only fifth whilst Jonathan Moore was soon in steering difficulties aboard odds-on favourite Vintage Prosseco (4/5). Moore reported afterwards that his mount hung badly left throughout.

He never looked like keeping his place at the head of affairs and ended up in eighth place.

"That's Aubrey's first winner over hurdles and he wouldn't have had too many rides,” reflected Mullins.

"That was a good performance from the horse having run a cracker in a bumper at Christmas. We'll stay novice hurdling now and I wouldn't be afraid to go out in trip with him either as he is well able to gallop.

"He is a horse to look forward to for his syndicate."

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Vintage Prosseco, trained by Gavin Cromwell, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

J.M. Moore, rider of Vintage Prosseco, trained by Gavin Cromwell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung badly left throughout.

G.P. Brouder, rider of I Don't Get It trained by Neill McCluskey, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount did not handle the track.

P.T. Enright, rider of Marco Rock trained by Eugene M. O'Sullivan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled.

At the request of the Stewards, D.J. O'Keeffe, rider of Rebel Ivy, trained by J.Motherway, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount is quirky and can be difficult and was outpaced early on. He added that he felt they went quick early and that once they started to stop she ran on well by tired horses.

(TW & EM)