The grey M C Muldoon lays it down to Enniskerry © Photo Healy Racing
Winner number four of the evening for Willie Mullins came in the Guinness Novice Hurdle as M C Muldoon justified 11/8 favouritism.
The grey travelled well for Galway Hurdle-winning rider Patrick Mullins and tackled the front-running Enniskerry (7/1) on the run to the last.
The winner gained a narrow lead on the run-in, but Enniskerry dug in and battled hard and Mullins had to keep the grey up to his work to score by half a length.
It was a further eight lengths back to Rambranlt’jac (14/1) in third.
It was a second win over hurdles for the 6-year-old who got off the mark over flights at Fairyhouse in February.
Willie Mullins said: “He settled beautifully. He went down to the start very free and Patrick decided to go to Plan B, which is drop in whereas we thought we were going to be in the first two or three the whole way.
“He changed tactics and it paid off. He got him settled and was able to use his ability then over the last two furlongs.
“He ran very well at Ascot (beaten a short head in the Ascot Stakes) and I think there is going to be a nice day in him on the Flat.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
