SAND STORM
Closutton combo claim five wins over weekend
WILLIE MULLINS and Paul Townend landed a treble in Naas yesterday, highlighted by the gutsy victory of Sandsend in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle.
The Closutton combination, also successful with Sayo and Ballyward, were following-up a Fairyhouse double on Saturday with Kemboy and the very impressive Larina.
Sandsend, having his second start for Mullins, dug deep for Townend to beat Forge Meadow by a neck in the twin-feature.
Mullins said: “He seems to be tough out and looks like a chaser. To do that on only his third ever start was very good. And he should improve hugely.
“He’s bred to have plenty of stamina and will have no problem going up in grade.”
Earlier, Sayo, on his Irish debut, recovered from a mistake three flights from home to beat Les Arceaux in the four-yearold maiden hurdle.
“It was an impressive display considering he missed the third last and ran into a lot of traffic problems – he must have a nice engine and will improve plenty,” said Mullins.
Ballyward is likely to head for Cheltenham, for either the Ballymore or Albert Bartlett, in the wake of his battling, half-length victory over As You Were in the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle.
Mullins said: “The first two pulled right away – I’d say it was a huge race. It was a dour performance and he can only improve.”
Noel Meade captured the Grade 3 Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Chase with Moulin A Vent, which came from the clouds under Sean Flanagan to deny top-weight Jury Duty, which was conceding 8lb to his rivals.
The winner looked destined for third or fourth spot when joint-leader Mossback crashed at the final fence, leaving Jury Duty in front. But he tired and had no answer to Moulin A Vent’s late surge.
Meade admitted: “There’s no doubt he has a lot of ability, but he just doesn’t know how to jump fences.”
Cheltenham’s four-mile National Hunt Chase or the Boylesports Irish Grand National are possible targets for the grey, which wore blinkers for the first time yesterday.
The Mullins-trained favourite Livelovelaugh made the running but faded to finish a well-beaten third.
His stable-companion Voix Des Tiep – the even-money favourite – flattered to deceive in the bumper, ultimately finishing third behind the Peter Fahy-trained The Big Dog, ridden by Katie Walsh.