Racing:It was another excellent day at the office for Willie Mullins at Leopardstown this afternoon, the champion trainer claiming the major prize with Arvika Ligeonniere and also scoring another notable success with his Blood Cotil claiming the major supporting race, the Q8 OILS Juvenile Hurdle.
The youngster was a 4-9 market-leader following the withdrawal of paper favourite Our Conor and he got the job done in fine style, beating Stocktons Wing by three lengths. Mullins said: “He’s a nice sort. We know he stays so the ground wasn’t going to be a problem. We were just worried if he’d settle, but he settled beautifully today.
“Hopefully he is at the top end of three year olds in Ireland and he will probably have just one more run before March and that might be in the Grade One here. We’re looking forward to him.”
Blood Cotil is 14-1 from 16-1 for the Triumph Hurdle with Stan James.
Noel Meade’s Ned Buntline (4-5 favourite) bounced back from his odds-on reverse at Fairyhouse with a stylish display in the Bookmakers Bar At Bewleys Hotel Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle. Meade said: “That is a bit of a weight off my back. We think he is a good horse and hopefully he is.
“He will go for a novice hurdle somewhere now and it’s nice to get a win on the board.”
Last month’s Cheltenham bumper winner Anonis (11-4) made a pleasing start to his career over obstacles in the Q8 OILS Maiden Hurdle. Winning trainer Margaret Mullins said: “I am delighted. He was green, as I thought he would be.
“He schooled well since Cheltenham. He is a nice horse. He is good and tough. He will have another couple of runs over hurdles before we decide where he will go.”
The Colm Murphy-trained Shariyan justified 4-1 favouritism for the Download The Free Racing Post Mobile App. Handicap Hurdle under Robbie Power. Murphy said: “I’m absolutely delighted as he’s been so frustrating.
“I would have been disappointed if he hadn’t have won but it was a competitive handicap so you can’t be too confident.”
Katie Walsh guided 7-1 shot Jacksonslady to victory in the Racing Post All You Need For Irish Racing Handicap Chase, while the concluding bumper went to 10-1 chance Moyle Park.