Cousin Vinny’s victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Irish Racing Writers Novice at a wind swept Naas provoked a mixed reaction from the bookmakers. Willie Mullins’ Champion Bumper winner, third in a Grade One on his first start over hurdles and an easy winner at Leopardstown last time, was sent off the 2-7 favourite to oblige under the trainer’s son, Patrick.
As he faced only three rivals his young jockey felt the need to make all the running and while Realt Dubh and An Cathaoir Mor briefly looked threatening, Cousin Vinny only had to be pushed out for a three-length success, despite making a mess of the final flight.
Totesport were not impressed though and pushed him out to 5-1 from 9-2 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle while Ladbrokes left him unchanged at 5-1, as did William Hill.
Mullins senior said: “He jumped well apart from that fluff at the last. But I think in the conditions it would be hard for any horse to be impressive today. When they come into the straight that headwind just stops you dead and the ground is very testing as well.
“He’ll have one more run before we go to Cheltenham but I don’t know where yet.”
Noel Meade enjoyed a big-race double as Parsons Pistol and Aitmatov ploughed through the mud better than their rivals. Aitmatov’s victory looked very unlikely with 100 yards to run in the Limestone Lad Hurdle as Clopf appeared to have the race won.
However, as Edward O’Grady’s charge began to wander about under pressure in the face of high winds and torrential rain, Paul Carberry revitalised the quirky Aitmatov to get up close home and win by a length and a half.
It was a welcome tonic for Meade who was on a racetrack for the first time in six weeks following an operation on his back.
"I kicked myself that I didn't put him in the three-miler at Leopardstown at Christmas," said Meade.
"The ground turned out to be quite good there and it was a mistake on my part. If he does go to Cheltenham it would be for the World Hurdle but there are plenty of suitable races for him at home and the two-and-a-half-miler at Aintree could also suit him.
“He is a lot better on better ground.”
Parsons Pistol’s victory in the three-mile Woodlands Park 100 Club Grade Two Novice Chase really was a war of attrition.
Long-time leader Chiraaz cried enough at the second-last where Parsons Pistol took over but Good Fella looked dangerous. Good Fella eventually stopped to a walk on the run-in as Meade’s seven-year-old came home 19 lengths clear.
“I was going to keep him for the Thyestes at Gowran on Thursday but I changed my mind as I thought this race looked winnable,” said Meade.
“He does stay very well and he will be entered for the RSA Chase and the four-miler at Cheltenham as well.”
Following Aitmatov’s race conditions were so bad the rest of the meeting needed to pass an inspection.