Seabank Bistro and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Seabank Bistro completed Naas doubles for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend today, justifying strong 1/2 favouritism for a staying success in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
The son of Walk In The Park was made work by runner-up Franciscan Rock in the home straight but proved two and three-parts of a length too strong.
Mullins had a reversal with demoted Ramillies in the day's opening Grade 3 chase but the 16-time champion trainer, who hit 4,000 winners at Fairyhouse yesterday, added to his haul with Echoes in Rain in the day's other Grade 3 race.
Following his 4,003rd winner, Mullins said “Seabank Bistro is a big immature horse. He did it nicely, jumps well and is more of a chaser I think.
“He'll go out in trip I'd say, maybe to three miles. He was just gawky when he got to the front and was just idling. Paul had to get after him to get up the straight but that's twice he's won around Naas and it's always a good sign when you can win on this track.
“I'd imagine he'll get entries in Cheltenham in the Albert Bartlett and Ballymore - I'd be thinking more the Albert Bartlett at this stage.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
