McMahon shows it's not a long way from Clare to here with determined success

Galway-based Clare native Brian McMahon has a good record with his small string at Punchestown, and saddled his second winner of this three-day meeting when Sizing Malbay stayed on resolutely under Phillip Enright to land the 2m4f handicap chase.

McMahon and Enright teamed up the previous day to land the feature handicap chase with the trainer's admirable servant Powersbomb.

Sizing Malbay was only having her second run for the trainer, but she sustained her effort from mid-division strongly to win going away by two and three-quarter lengths from favourite Robin De Roost and Fill The Tank.

"I love it here, I haven't had too many winners but most of them have come here," said McMahon.

"As her name might suggest, she is owned by a father and son from Miltown Malbay in Clare, which is only nine miles down the road from my home place. It's lovely to have a Clare connection for a winner."

Mullins dominant again

Willie Mullins drew a rare Punchestown blank on Sunday after a treble on Saturday, but his runners were back in gear as he and rider Brian Hayes teamed up for an early double.

The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned Fan De Blues put a number of disappointments over fences behind him with a smart display in the opening beginners' chase, a victory which was achieved in spite of him showing a tendency to jump left.

"I don't know why he did that, he's never done it before," said Hayes.

Perhaps the stage could be set for this horse to head towards Galway if he could get some ease in the ground.

Mullins and Hayes completed their early double in the 2m4f mares' hurdle as The West Awaits justified favouritism in a straightforward manner, beating Wat Ua Doin by 13 lengths.

Results, replays and analysis

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday