Easy Game the headline act as Willie Mullins bags a day one four-timer

Sunday: Listowel

The opening day of the Listowel harvest festival belonged to Willie Mullins as the champion trainer landed a four-timer, which was not an entirely unexpected outcome given the strength of his challenge.

Big guns Easy Game and Kemboy came out to play in the feature 2m4f chase, and in a field of four they were the only two finishers. The Paul Townend-ridden favourite proved far too good for the higher-rated Kemboy, and looks set to contest the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park in two weeks' time.

Mullins said: "He did it well, Paul said he jumped out of his skin and even left him behind at a couple of fences. The plan is to go back to Gowran with him, while the owners of Kemboy are keen to go to Far Hill for a crack at the American Grand National."

A good bit of the drama came early in the race when The Little Yank took a heavy fall. The seven-year-old came away unscathed but his rider, Kevin Brouder, was taken to hospital in Tralee for x-rays.

This was the third year in a row that this race has had only two finishers and its status as a conditions chase might be in some doubt. It used to be an interesting and competitive handicap.

Nikini makes champion jockey work

Townend had to earn his fee when completing his and Mullins' double on Nikini in the 2m4f mares' hurdle. The daughter of Sea Moon took quite a keen tug throughout the race but showed the engine she possesses by staying on strongly to see off market rival Hollymount by two and a quarter lengths.

The mare is owned by the Gorm Agus Ban Syndicate (blue and white in English), made up of members and players of Old Leighlin GAA Club, not far from Closutton.

Patrick Mullins said: "Some of the lads were meant to play a match in Waterford at midday, had it brought forward to 10.30am and left at half-time to get here about ten minutes before the race!"

He added: "They went slow, which probably suited her. We wanted to come here to jump the birch hurdles before she went to Down Royal. That's where she'll go next month for the Grade 3 and get some more black type."

Card topped and tailed

Winners in the first and last race of the day completed the Closutton four-timer. The opening three-year-old hurdle was a competitive affair with five previous winners over hurdles, including a dual winner, taking each other on.

The Townend-ridden Aghaboy proved too strong, making most of the running and jumping well, apart from a mistake at the second-last, in beating dual winner and favourite The Insider by two lengths.

Townend said: "It was a good, genuine effort. He has a nice cruising speed and he stays well too. He's good at what he does and is still learning. The ground is plenty quick enough but young horses will handle it."

Completing the four-timer in the bumper at the fourth time of asking was the Malcolm Denmark-owned Polo Lounge, who recorded a workmanlike success under Patrick Mullins.

Results, replays and analysis

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