'We've found the key to him' - Mitchouka comes good for O'Loughlin in feature

With a select band of horses, Gearoid O'Loughlin has done well in his role as private trainer to Chris Jones, and he made his second winner of a week for the owner a big one, as the consistent Mitchouka landed the feature Grade B TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase.

Ridden by Ricky Doyle, the son of Creachadoir really galloped on strongly from the final fence to cut down the luckless Livelovelaugh by a neck.

It was following a pattern, as the trainer's other winner during the week, Cedarwood Road, had also got the better of a Willie Mullins-trained and Rich Ricci-owned horse in Antey in a beginners chase at Gowran last Tuesday.

"It's not often you beat Willie Mullins twice in a week," said the beaming trainer.

"He's a quirky little horse, but I knew he was well and we seem to have found the key to him. The secret is not to do too much with him. Today was the target."

"We dipped our toe in the Paddy Power over 3m just to see if we could have another option. On soft ground it stretched him, but I wouldn't say he doesn't stay either on better ground.

"Ricky has been massive and rides him in work. My girlfriend Rebecca rides him every day and she said he was right. He could go to Punchestown and the Galway Plate could be a target as well."

The Francis Casey-trained Max Flamingo lands the opener under Denis O'ReganCredit: Patrick McCann

Good weekend for Casey

With just three horses in the yard, it has been a very good weekend indeed for trainer Francis Casey as two of them managed to win.

After the victory of Palace Rock at Navan on Saturday, Max Flamingo was brought from well back in the field by Denis O'Regan to land the opening 2m4f maiden hurdle.

The son of Kalanisi stayed on really strongly from the final flight to score by three and a quarter lengths from Barbary Master.

"It’s not always easy to win a maiden in Leopardstown. If only I had more horses. I've only three of them, but it's grand to get two of them up," said Casey.

He added of the winner: "He's a very honest horse and he stays galloping well. We'll probably head for Fairyhouse for the 3m novice handicap final over Easter.

"At home you would imagine the horse that won yesterday would be 2st better, but he'd done no jumping. When Palace Rock gets his act together he's different gravy altogether."

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