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WILLIE Mullins warmed up for the Cheltenham Festival with a five-timer at Gowran Park on Saturday.
Saglawy got the ball rolling in the opening Kilkenny Hunt Maiden Hurdle as he sauntered to a 15-length success.
Epicuris then proved a ready winner of the Best Of Luck To The Irish At Cheltenham Maiden Hurdle at 3-1.
Mullins’ record with new recruits to the yard saw Pairofbrowneyes go off 9-2 for the Leinster National. He had run down the field at 25-1 on his final start for his previous connections, but had no trouble winning by four lengths.
“He did what he’s bred to do and we’ll look forward to all those long-distance chases with him,” said Mullins.
“He’s qualified now for the Aintree National and that was the prime reason for running him here.
“We’ll see where we go now. He’s in the Irish one, in at Aintree and we could also wait for Punchestown.
“He jumps great. He’s a fine, big, strong staying chaser.”
Sky Bet cut Pairofbrowneyes to 25-1 from 50s for the Randox Helath Grand National, for which Mullins also trains 10-1 favourite Total Recall.
The stable’s fourth winner, Up For Review, paid a handsome compliment to stablemate Some Neck when landing the Irish Machinery Auctions Beginners Chase, having been well beaten by his fellow Mullins inmate at the same course three weeks ago.
It was then left to newcomer Derby to complete a memorable day for connections.
The five-year-old, sent off 1-2, did exactly that as he cruised to a nine-length victory in the Raceday Packages At gowranpark.ie Point-To Point Flat Race. “He loves testing conditions and loves jumping,” said Mullins. “We’re looking forward to him going jumping in the future. He might just get another run in a bumper this spring and probably be put away then until the autumn.”
A five-fold accumulator on the Mullins battalion paid just over 50-1 and set the yard up nicely for this week, where Getabird is a warm order for the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Mullins also has the likes of Min for the Betway Champion Chase and Footpad for the Racing Post Arkle, and he’s Sky Bet’s even-money favourite to be the top trainer at the Festival and take the valuable BetBright Cup.
Gordon Elliott, who saw three of his eight runners at Gowran finish second to Mullins opposition, is a 9-4 chance along with Nicky Henderson.