Asterion Forlonge and Paul Townend© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins doubled his Naas score when Asterion Forlonge added to point-to-point and bumper successes on his previous starts with victory in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Earlier on the mark with the Danny Mullins-partnered Cash Back Mullins here struck with stable jockey Paul Townend, riding in the Donnelly silks of Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo.
Favourite Pencilfulloflead didn’t jump well enough and Asterion Forlonge (despite a tendency to jump right) triumphed by ten lengths.
Paddy Power go 33/1 first show about Asterion Forlonge for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
“It was a nice positive performance from him. I think he'll want much further in trip and I'll be going out in trip with him now,” said Mullins.
“I'll probably look for a novice hurdle over two-and-a-half miles rather than two miles.”
On his tendency to jump right:- “I don't know why he was doing that. Schooling at home he goes the other way.
“He was probably just idling. He wants to do anything but do the right thing which is a good sign as it means there is way more improvement to come.
“He had to do it the hard way, make all his own running there today, and was just running around in front.
“Hopefully we can sort that out before his next run.”
On the Christmas Closutton runners Mullins reflected: "Al Boum came out of the race great and Kemboy came out of the race well. All of the major ones came out of their races well so fingers crossed it stays that way for a while.” Elixir D'ainay s performance earlier to finish runner-up to Envoi Allen prompted Mullins to say: "That's as good as he is. Envoi Allen just seems to be the best novice in the British Isles and he's going to be very hard to beat wherever he goes.
“I'd imagine we'll go to the Dublin racing festival now, and probably over two-and-a-half. We'll go wherever we can and try and plan a path to Cheltenham maybe and try and avoid the other fella!”
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Schedar trained by Michael J. McDonagh, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be lame post race, possibly having struck into itself.
C.A. Landers, rider of Schedar trained by Michael J. McDonagh, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right.
(GC & EM)
