Minella Beau in the clear at Cork© Photo Healy Racing
Minella Beau gave Willie Mullins an across-the-card double when proving far too good for his 12 rivals in the concluding bumper at Cork.
The 4/6 favourite tracked front-running Gagas Horse with over three furlongs to travel. He was then ridden by Patrick Mullins to move into the lead with less that a quarter of a mile left.
At this stage the pair had pulled clear of the remainder but in the final furlong it was all about one horse, Minella Beau, who powered away to taste success by seven lengths.
It could be a crucial winner for Patrick Mullins who edged ahead of Jamie Codd in the amateur riders' championship.
Patrick Mullins said: "He doesn't do anything in a hurry but keeps galloping and the further he goes, the better he'll be.
"I'm not sure what the plans are but he could go jumping next and it's nice to get one ahead of Jamie (Codd).
"He was originally bought by an Englishman and when the Brexit vote happened he told us to sell all his horses. He had been in training all along apart from a little setback at Christmas and that's what stopped him running until now.
"My grandfather won the Slan Abhaile with Ararun in these colours in the 1980s but that's dad's first runner for the Mees. It's nice to get it as I recommended him to the Mees."
Minella Beau won a point-to-point in Lisronagh when last seen in December 2015.
Willie Mullins was successful at Fairyhouse with Augusta Kate (8/1) in the Grade One mares' novice hurdle.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
