Racing:Ireland's top team of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh were quickly back in the groove with three winners apiece as racing resumed at Fairyhouse following the cold snap. But the pair did suffer a significant reverse, however, when Cousin Vinny could only finish third.
The Co Carlow trainer struck with Arvika Ligeonniere and Scotsirish, both ridden by Walsh, and Up Ou That, partnered by his amateur rider son, Patrick.
Walsh completed his treble on Saddlers Storm for Tony Martin.
Scotsirish ran out an easy winner of the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase to earn a 20-1 quote for the Ryanair Chase with Victor Chandler and Stan James.
The 7-4 favourite tracked the front-running Mansony before taking a narrow advantage at the third-last, and the race was over as a contest when he pinged two out.
Stablemate Snowy Morning plugged on for second, four and a half lengths back over a trip way short of his best, but Aran Concerto ruined his chance with jumping mistakes at key points.
“Ruby was adamant that he didn’t made enough use of Scotsirish last time at Leopardstown so that’s why he went on three out there,” said Mullins. “He jumped from fence to fence and I was also very pleased with Snowy Morning as well — he ran a cracker and that was his first try over fences at two miles.
“I’ve no immediate plans for the pair but Scotsirish does have an entry in the Ryanair though he’ll run again before then — he’ll be earning his keep.
“It opens a lot of other races in the spring for Snowy Morning and we’ll enter him in the National and see what the handicapper does. He really enjoyed himself.”
Mullins and Walsh first struck in the opening Kehoe Ceilings & Partitions Maiden Hurdle as Arvika Ligeonniere justified strong support.
Backed in from 9-4 to even-money favourite, the five-year-old took over from long-time leader Caduceus at the final flight to open his account by five lengths following defeat in a Punchestown bumper seven weeks ago.
“He showed there what we thought he’d do in his bumper,” said Mullins. “Ruby’s objective was to go out there and get him settled and he achieved that. This is his trip and he’ll run again in about another three weeks.”
Walsh was the first to three at odds of near 9-1 when he steered home 4-5 favourite Saddlers Storm in the Bobbyjo Bistro at Fairyhouse Handicap Chase.
Walsh put up a 1lb overweight but it made no difference as the eight-year-old romped home by 18 lengths.
Martin said: “He is a big old fashioned galloper that’s only coming to himself now. The trip suited him great there after being unlucky over shorter at Leopardstown last time.”
Mullins’ near 12-1 treble was brought up by Up Ou That (6-4) in the Rockview (Q.R.) INH Flat Race. The former point-to-point winner is 14-1 joint-favourite with William Hill to continue Mullins’ fine record in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
Mullins said: “I would think he would go to Cheltenham the way he finished there, and I know Henry de Bromhead thinks a fair bit of his (runner-up Romanesco).”
Cousin Vinny’s third place in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase was a disappointment for Mullins.
The 2008 Champion Bumper winner was soon in front under Walsh, and all seemed to be going well before Nicanor loomed upsides on the bridle and took it up four out.
Cousin Vinny’s jumping had been slow at various points throughout and all the while the De Bromhead-trained An Cathaoir Mor was travelling ominously well for David Casey behind the front two.
As Cousin Vinny faded, just a short head separated the 3-1 winner and Nicanor at the line.
Mullins said of Cousin Vinny: “There wasn’t a lot of pace in the race, so we said to Ruby don’t be afraid to go on but he got too careful at his fences. The sun was leaving a big shadow down the back and he stood back and got the fright of his life, he was losing two or three lengths at his fences.
“It’s a bit disappointing but hopefully he’ll be all right and we’ll look for another race in a few weeks. He just needs to get his jumping together and get slick, he just needs practice.”
The Hurl, trained by Mouse Morris, made most of the running to land the 20% On Line Discount Novice Hurdle over three miles.
Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden was never headed after taking it up at the third flight and the 9-4 joint-favourite defeated his main market rival Grange Alainn by six lengths.
Madden said: “I wanted to get a lead but he was a bit keen in behind so I went on. When he heard the other horse coming (Grange Alainn) he went on again from the back of the last.”