MULLINS SCOOPS A TOP HAT

THE Willie Mullins-trained Benie Des Dieux bagged the featured BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas yesterday.

The evens favourite was looking to make it three wins in as many starts for Mullins and did so in determined fashion.

On the straight the David Mullins-ridden seven-year-old was given a good test by Asthuria and that one got the market leader off the bridle.

However, Benie Des Dieux asserted in the closing stages to score by two and a half lengths.

“She nearly travelled too well on the ground but she was very quick over her fences and her class shone through,” reported the winning rider.

“She’s just a pleasure to ride and everything comes so easily to her,” added Mullins (right).

There was a very smart sort on show in the second of the maiden hurdles where Cartwright outclassed his rivals.

The Gordon Elliott inmate quickened up impressively from the second last to score by 16 lengths.

“He’s not a bad horse and should win plenty of races. During the summer I’d say

we’ll look at some good flat handicaps with him,” declared Elliott.

Pete So High was an odds on chance to give Elliott a double in the four-year- old conditions hurdle but he was disappointing.

He seemed sure to score at the second last but didn’t find much under pressure and went down by three lengths to a rallying Mastermind.

Earlier Wishmoor made it two course wins in a fortnight as he dug deep for Rachael Blackmore in the two and a half mile handicap chase.