Al Arrivee gets Listowel favourite backers off to winning start The Willie Mullins trained Al Arrivee justified favouritism under Patrick Mullins when making most to win the opening Buckley Agri New Holland Irish EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle at Listowel. Sent off 10/11f favourite, the Jackie Mullins owned mare, was sent to the front after jumping the first flight. Setting steady fractions at the head of affairs, Patrick Mullins asserted entering the home straight, keeping on strongly from the second last to score easily by nine-lengths. The Besty Woman kept on for second place, with Lennon Grove a further two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third. Willie Mullins said: "She is a half-sister to Al Boum Photo and I initially bought her with a view to breeding from her. Now what I'd like to do is get some black-type and with her pedigree, she'll stay all day. "I was worried that today's trip might be too sharp so Patrick said he wanted to make it a test of stamina today and to make her fitness be the key. She didn't jump as well as she can, but was going a little faster than she is used to. Fitness paid off in the end and I'd say the runner-up won't be far away from her next win. "She'll probably go out in trip now." (Quotes by Thomas Weekes)
