Mullins' Festival favourite wins at Fairyhouse

Willie Mullins' absolute dominance stuttered in Britain today but the Champion Trainer will have been relieved to see the performance of leading Cheltenham Festival fancy Limini easy winner of the featured Grade 3 Coolmore N.H. Sires Mares Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Mullins' four high profile British runners, faller Djackadam, Shaneshill Morning Run and Up For Review each met with defeat at Cheltenham and Doncaster to increase the Champion Trainer's losing run to an uncharacteristic 11 runners.

However Limini readily righted that statistic when stretched clear of her rivals in the home straight, under Danny Mullins. In the end the French bred mare readily beat Cashelard Lady to strengthen her Cheltenham claims.

Afterwards Patrick Mullins, son of the winning trainer, stated “Danny said she did it very easy, and her jumping was better when they were going a quicker pace. She has a big engine, and should come on from it.

"It's good for Danny who is making the most of his opportunities."

Limini's price for the Mares Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham was later generally cut to 6/4, from 2/1.

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee