Munster National joy for O'Keeffe as Mullins-trained Ontheropes lands knockout

Top young talent Sean O'Keeffe registered the biggest domestic win of his fledgling career as the Willie Mullins-trained Ontheropes defied an almost year-long layoff to capture the JT McNamara Ladbrokes Munster National Handicap Chase.

Making his first start since finishing second to Monkfish in a Fairyhouse beginners' chase last November, the Cheveley Park-owned seven-year-old took advantage of his attractive mark of 141 to edge out the admirable A Wave Of The Sea by two and a quarter lengths.

A performance that suggested Ontheropes could go on to bigger and better things, it also marked a third win in the last five runnings of the €80,000 event for the champion trainer.

"Willie has done a great job with him," said 22-year-old O'Keeffe, who notably landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle on Mullins' Galopin Des Champs last season.

"The horse has had a few problems along the way, but it's great to get a good pot for him.

"It's the first time I've ridden Ontheropes and he was very straightforward. He got away well, he had a little peck at the first, but after that he jumped super everywhere. I was always comfortable."

Kruzhlinin bows out on a high

Gordon Elliott was in fine form with a 494-1 treble on the card, as his 14-year-old stalwart Kruzhlinin registered a poignant success on what was the final start of his career.

A prolific winner with a remarkable 14 point-to-point wins to his name and ten more under rules, Kruzhlinin returned to a terrific reception when led in by doting owner Camilla Sharples, herself a key part of the Cullentra operation as travelling head girl.

Owner Camilla Sharples gives Kruzhlinin a well-deserved kiss after her 14-year-old bowed out with a win at Limerick on SundayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Elliott said: "He's been brilliant. Today is great for Camilla because he's her horse. He's going to stay with us at Cullentra, where he'll lead all the horses at home. It's a great way for him to go out, on a high."

Progressive five-year-old Off Your Rocco started the fruitful afternoon for Elliott when making it four wins from five starts in the Listed Bluegrass Horse Feed Novice Hurdle.

Steered to victory by Jack Kennedy in the colours of Pioneer Racing, a trip to Cheltenham later this month could now be on the cards for the 7-4 winning favourite.

Vado Forte completed the treble with a bloodless win on his debut for the Cullentra team in a 2m3½f rated chase under Davy Russell, who suffered his season-ending injury on this card last year.

Mrs Milner makes winning start

Paul Nolan believes we could see an even better version of Mrs Milner this season despite her workmanlike display in winning the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle – her first start since landing the Pertemps Final.

Sent off the even-money favourite, she got the job done under Bryan Cooper by a length and a half from No Memory, a rival rated 21lb inferior to the Cheltenham Festival heroine.

Nolan said: "She needs to improve if she's to get to the level of the Stayers' Hurdle – hopefully she will keep progressing."

Results, replays and analysis

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