King strikes for Mullins & Turley in Limerick opener With Galopin Des Champs to come, Willie Mullins and Audrey Turley got their day off to the best possible start as King Rasko Grey claimed the opener at Limerick, the Whitebox Property Group Maiden Hurdle. A E250,000 Goffs Arkle Sale purchase, the Galiway five-year-old was fourth and second in two previous starts and was returned a 16/5 chance this afternoon on what was his first try over flights. Settled behind the leaders by Danny Mullins and taking closer order in third after three out, the French-bred bay travelled best and disputed the lead from the next. While not fluent at the final flight, he was soon pushed along to gain an outright advantage, keeping on well in the closing stages to register a two-and-three-quarter length win. Third in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham in March, Shuttle Diplomacy (18/1) finished second under Daniel King, while Kaiser Ball (13/2) was another three lengths away in third. From 4/1 in early shows, I Started A Joke was returned the even money favourite and he finished fourth, fading on the run-in. "It was a fair performance. He travelled well in the straight and after being a bit awkward at the last, he picked up well," the winning rider reflected. "It looked a strong enough maiden and it was a taking performance that he could win with that bit of ease. It takes a bit of getting. "Willie delivered him in good shape here and hopefully there is a nice spring to look forward to with him." Additional reporting by Alan Magee
