Willie Mullins kept favourite backers happy by saddling Heezapistol to justify 9/10 favouritism with Ruby Walsh in the Bettyville Park Beginners Chase at Wexford yesterday and a winners race will now feature on the market leader's agenda.
Indeed, Mullins and Walsh later went on to complete a double as Kaikoura Girl headed Gardrum Park in the closing stages of the Michael O'Murchadh Handicap Chase ultimately triumpinhg by one and a half lengths.
There was a shock outcome to the opening Rosslare Maiden Hurdle as the Michael McDonogh-trained Winaro sprang a 16/1 surprise with Kieran Gaule. The German-bred was produced to lead on landing over the last and he forged clear to triumph by one and a half lengths from Mossland.
Bookmakers were once again celebrating following the Knockhouse Stud Maiden Hurdle as Cut Lose, trained under permit by Donal Coffey near Midleton, defied a near two-year absence to oblige with the in-form Alan Donoghue.
The Ivor Kingston-trained Viaduct, which finished fourteenth behind Kingscliff in the Christie's Foxhunters last Thursday, showed a return to his very best form by landing the Garryrichard Stud Hunters Chase with Scobie Fitzgerald.
Tony Mullins was on the mark as Alphazar led from before two out to capture the Pinnacle Handicap Hurdle with Ross Geraghty. Owned by John Brophy, who of course also saw his colours being carried to victory by the Paddy Mullins-trained Luska in the 1981 Irish Grand National, Alphazar could now contest another handicap hurdle.
