'Stunning bumper performance' - Irish horses to follow from the weekend

Sunday's meeting at Naas was the sole Irish action over the weekend as Fairyhouse were forced to abandon on Saturday.

The Naas card was lit up by the stunning bumper performance from a Willie Mullins-trained newcomer that has shot to the head of the betting for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival.

He was very good, he doesn't quite show that at home, I think he's probably relentless and has a really high cruising speed.

Patrick Mullins

Love Sign D'Aunou

Love Sign D'Aunou dominates in Champion Bumper trial

Sunday's offering from Naas witnessed quite the performance from the Rich Ricci-owned newcomer Love Sign D'Aunou under Patrick Mullins, for his father, Willie.

Such was the quality of his 24-length romp, Love Sign D'Aunou is the new favourite for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March.

His point-to-point form has already worked out nicely and he took the Aloga Equestrian (Pro/Am) Flat Race with a minimum of fuss under hands and heels riding.

Mullins has won the Champion Bumper a record 14 times and his charge is now the 7/1 market leader with most firms, having won the same Naas event Jasmin De Vaux claimed en route to Cotswolds glory two years ago.

"He was very good, he doesn't quite show that at home," said Patrick Mullins. "I think he's probably relentless and has a really high cruising speed."

Mon Creuset

Mon Creuset: One to watch despite jumping error

The opening Nursery Of Champions Maiden Hurdle also went to the Mullins camp, with Danny Mullins on board as Kai Ling made all at odds of 6/1, beating Gordon Elliott's Lynches Knock into second spot.

The one to take from the race could be Mon Creuset despite the Gigginstown debutant finishing only fourth under Paul Townend.

The French bumper winner was well-backed before the race and was seemingly full of running as he ranged alongside Kai Ling on the run to the second last flight.

He hit the hurdle and sprawled on landing, coughing up any chance of the win but is evidently well regarded by his top connections and shouldn't be waiting long to make amends.

Rusheen

Rusheen strikes at 28/1 for Terence O'Brien

The closing race on the card was the Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Novice Handicap Chase over two-and-a-half-miles and it went to Rusheen for trainer Terence O'Brien under the steer of Phillip Enright.

There was some money around for him, but his SP of 28/1 was proved all wrong as the eight-year-old hit the front going to the final fence and went clear by four-lengths on the run to the winning post.

"We'll see what the handicapper does and keep him to these conditions," said the winning trainer. "That was his first run in 10 months so you'd be hoping he'd improve a little bit."

Rusheen had previously been trained by James Dullea and was 0-5 over fences, having unseated his rider at Fairyhouse in April. He took this contest from a mark of 104 and could have progress in him for his new handler.