DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER

GETABIRD bolted-up in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle in Punchestown yesterday.

Ridden by Patrick Mullins, the even-money favourite made all and picked-up impressively on the run-in to slam market rival Mengli Khan (conceding 6lb to the winner) by nine lengths.

The six-year-old was giving Willie Mullins his tenth Moscow Flyer success in ten years. He is now bound for the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham, for which he is a best-priced 4/1 favourite.

Willie Mullins said: “He jumped fantastic, way better than his first run and he showed plenty of pace.”

Getabird (right) was the second leg of a graded-race double for Mullins, initiated when Invitation Only, ridden by David Mullins, made all to land the Total Event Rental (Kildare) Novice Chase, at the expense of stable-companion Koshari.

“He stays and jumps and this was an ideal stepping-stone,” said Willie of Invitation Only, which will go straight to Cheltenham, for either the JLT or RSA.

Willie and Patrick Mullins also captured the bumper with 13/1 favourite and debutante Relegate.

Jessica Harrington, in Scotland for Nicky Henderson’s wedding, missed seeing Impact factor (Robbie Power) justify 4/7 favouritism in the Sportinglife.com Maiden Hurdle.

The Tony Mullins-trained Glencairn View (Liam Quinlan) landed a significant gamble in the Connolly’s Red Mills Amateur National.