Dublin Racing Festival review and free video replays

"I don't think Willie has managed to win it yet has he?"

Vischio (8/1) sprinted away from her rivals in the closing stages to make a winning debut for Emmet Mullins in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle.

The winner of nine races under both codes for former handler Dick Donohoe was sold after winning at Punchestown in November and it proved money well spent with this convincing Listed victory and she did not go unbacked.

There were plenty of chances at the final flight with Danny Mullins among them having threaded his way through runners but Vischio quickly put the race to bed with a smart turn of foot, winning by five lengths to the delight of her jockey.

It was a different story for the minors with Kimy taking second from Qualimita, Disco Dancer and Thisistheway with the winning distances three quarters of a length, a neck and a neck.

British raider Queens Gamble ran respectably in sixth, doing all of her best work in the closing stages, another neck behind the fifth. Queens Gamble was later reported to have a significantly swollen knee and was being assessed.

The winning trainer said: "That was great, great to win the race. I don't think Willie has managed to win it yet has he? So it's great for myself and Danny to get that one up on the board.

"Top marks to Jack, he picked her out along with Danny who gave him a bit of advice. She was bought at the horses in training sales back in October and it was all about today. Jack and Danny were buying her for this race and this race alone. It's been a tricky time, I wasn't sure at Christmas whether we were going to get her here, she just had a few little hiccups but to be fair to her she has a great attitude and doesn't take much to get ready thankfully.

"He [Danny] knows her best. He's found the secret to her once or twice before so I was happy to leave it up to Danny."

When asked what it meant to win the race named after his late grandmother, Mullins replied: "I never do her justice, Patrick is the wordsmith for that, but it's been a special 12 months since her passing and great to win the race round here."

Danny Mullins added: "The Paddy And Maureen Mullins memorial race is the only race no Mullins has won at the Dublin Racing Festival and Willie has won pretty much everything so a great day; big ones are what it's all about but there's a family connection to that.

"I've got to give a good mention to Dick Donohue who I used to ride her for. I was hoping the lads might keep her with Dick and then once they put their mind on going to the sales it was a panic to try and get a few people to buy her. I mentioned her to a few but once I told them she had little issues at the start, not surprisingly they were reluctant but fair play to Jack; he stacked the odds and was willing to have a gamble and that's what it was.

"She's good. I'd have to see where Emmet is going next to try and keep the leg over."

Mullins masters Festival handicaps

Emmet Mullins' day get better when McLaurey (3/1 favourite) completed a double for the stable in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle.

Well supported ahead of his handicap debut, McLaurey, owned by JP McManus, made his supporters sweat a little more than had looked likely to be the case one out.

Ol Man Dingle had gone for him early in the straight, making a bold bid to complete a four-timer but Walsh was swinging along on the bit in the famous silks. McLaurey readily picked up the leader but didn't appear to do a great deal once in front and was chased all the way to the line by Storm Heart and Irish Panther.

The winning margins were a length and a head with two and a half lengths back to Ol Man Dingle and a further 10 lengths to Any Road.

Mullins was asked if he knew he had a well handicapped horse on his hands but revealed that he was worried about the winner's lack of experience, saying: "I was sure I had an improving horse, he's definitely improved every run. Mentally he's not there yet although Mark just said today was the first time he ever travelled in a race. Coming here for the first run in a big handicap, definitely a few non-runners played to our strengths and this sort of ground for two miles, he's a horse who could stretch out in trip over time.

"There's a big engine in there and we're only scratching the surface. He's a horse who runs in a rubber bit and we've no restraints on him, it's just to try and encourage him to go forward and he's still a big baby."

When asked if McLaurey might be in line for a run at the spring festivals, he replied: "Today was great, it's a £150 grand pot.

"Two miles we didn't think might be his cup of tea first run in a handicap but he had the mark to get in here and I was keen to run him and he'd learn if it didn't happen for him today, it's just great that it has."

Stone cold certainty

Backtonormal (11/4 favourite) was all the rage for the O'Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase despite the two mile five furlong contest looking competitive on paper and the market confidence was on the money.

Gavin Cromwell, who had a double on Saturday's card, and jockey Conor Stone-Walsh would have gone close to winning last year's race with Perceval Legallois only for the partnership to come unstuck at the last.

There was no such drama this time around as Backtonormal, making his handicap debut, readily jumped past Sequestered en route to recording a three and a quarter length success.

Monbeg Park was back in third with last year's runner-up, Riaan, in fourth.

When asked to explain the winner's preparation, Cromwell wasn't giving anything away, responding: "He's been running in beginners chasers and he got his mark, stepping up in trip here and bit of nicer ground as well probably helped him."

He went on: "The horses are flying and he was working very well at home. Conor is tremendous value for his 5lb and thankfully we have him; he's only got a couple left so it's nice to have him for the big day."

More joy for Jody

Jody Townend is making a habit of winning the Coolmore N.H. Sires Luxembourg Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race.

Successful in the Grade Two on mares trained by Willie Mullins in 2021 and 2024, Townend was at it again as she produced Bambino Fever (9/1) to sweep past her better fancied stablemate Future Prospect and other rivals.

The more experienced Switch From Diesel had briefly taken up the running and appeared to have plenty of petrol left in the tank but was brushed aside by Bambino Fever who went on to score by an impressive seven and a half lengths.

Bambino Fever completed a four-timer for Mullins who told irishracing.com: “She surprised me the first day and she’s surprised me again today.

“Jody got her lovely and settled in at the back and Jukebox Jury must be some sire.

“I’m absolutely delighted with her, and I’d imagine that looks good enough to me to go to Cheltenham. The other horse was too keen.”.

Paddy Power made the winner 6/1 (NRNB) from 14s for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper at next month's Festival.

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