Mortal lives up to his pedigree on his bumper debut

Pomme Tiepy, the first of many big-race winners for jumps owner Rich Ricci, has got her broodmare career off to the best possible start on Thursday with Mortal winning on his bumper debut at Limerick.

Bred by Corrib Racing, Mortal is by King's Theatre out of the high-class chaser.

Trained by Joseph O'Brien and ridden by Patrick Mullins, Mortal, who was wearing a tongue-strap, was second behind Zen Master for most of the race before picking up nicely in the closing stages to score easily by five and a half lengths, with Isodon a further seven and a half lengths back in third.

Pomme Tiepy, a 14-year-old daughter of Apple Tree, began her career with Philippe Lefevre - who had made her into a useful jumper in France - before transferring to the care of Willie Mullins.

Pomme Tiepy won her first four starts for the master trainer and was still travelling well when she fell in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival.

Despite only winning once more in her career, she put in some highly creditable runs, finishing third in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown and fifth in the 2009 Irish Grand National.

Mortal was the third top lot at the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale when sold as a foal by Cleaboy Stud and Coppice Farm for €75,000 to Ben Case.

Case trains for Lady Jane Grosvenor who sold him on to Bobby O'Ryan as a three-year-old store for €100,000 at the 2015 Derby Sale.

Pomme Tiepy has produced four more foals including a two-year-old colt and a yearling colt, both by Milan.