Cleary clan complete cross-card double Well-backed Livio (2/1 - 1/1f) returned to form in landing Cork’s Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle today, scoring for champion jumps trainer Willie Mullins and 7lb claiming rider Sean Cleary-Farrell. Successful in a Grade 3 bumper on Lyon debut in September 2024, the son of Cokoriko had disappointed on his second Irish start at Punchestown in June, but today made much of the pace and scored by five lengths from Eye Contact . Cleary-Farrell, successful in two Listed races at the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals and whose uncle Rory Cleary had earlier ridden a Naas winner today, stated “the two false starts wound Livio up and he became hot but I was happy to let him roll away in the race and he was very good. “He is well able to jump and he ran home very well in the end. I was looking back at his French form and he ran very well over hurdles the first day in Killarney and is back now, having disappointed the last day. He idled under me and there was plenty left, so there is more improvement in him.” Trainer Mullins had earlier landed the opening maiden hurdle with the Brian Hayes-partnered Easter Bonnet .
