Calie Du Mesnil (number 8) comes to win her race under David Mullins© Photo Healy Racing
After Minella Beau s win earlier there was a double on the day for Willie Mullins and a 1,2,3 for the stable when Calie Du Mesnil (12/1 into 8/1) took the Guinness Novice Hurdle under David Mullins.
A 7th winner for Mullins at Galway 2018, Calie Du Mesnil led home Sapphire Lady (14/1) and Exchange Rate (9/4 into 6/4) by three parts of a length and the same.
Exchange Rate was impeded when Awayinthewest came to grief four out.
"When she won down in Tipperary I think she wasn't completely ready so she did that on ability," said Mullins, who also had the 5th home, Causey Arch
"She's improved a good bit and I was delighted with Danny's mare (second home, Sapphire Lady) as well.
"Ruby's horse (third home, Exchange Rate) - he thinks two and a half miles might be too far.
"I'd say he was just feeling the effects of the race the other day where he fell and galloped around riderless for two rounds.
"You'd be hoping there's improvement in the winner. She can go out further in trip. Two and three quarters or three miles would be no trouble.
"As the ground gets softer she's going to enjoy that too.
"I think she's a winter filly. This rain was no harm to her. How good she is I don't know.
"I'm not sure she's in Pakora's league (a winner here on Tuesday) but she's a good solid filly."
"She blew up twice or three times with me in Tipperary and I'd say she was only half fit," said David Mullins.
"I was back further than I wanted to be on her that day.
"I asked Katie Walsh about her the other day at the Curragh and she said 'every post a winning one'. We weren't able to make it but kept the pressure on Danny the whole way.
"I thought I was beat before the last but she winged it and she's tough out, she really battled to the line.
"She has plenty of experience as she had five runs over hurdles in France and I'd say all that counts. She's very slick over her hurdles.
"She's come on a lot from the first day. She liked the ground, trip was no problem. She's very quick to jump so I wouldn't be too worried about stepping back in trip on soft ground."
(GC & EM)
