Pont Aval highlights Killarney treble for Willie Mullins

16-1 shot bagged the National feature.

Pont Aval completed a near 102-1 treble for trainer Willie Mullins when taking the Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase under Sean O’Keeffe.

The Closutton handler had three chances in the three-and-a-quarter-mile feature, yet it was the outsider of the trio who struck at odds of 16-1.

In an race of changing complexions, Birchdale fell when upsides at the penultimate fence and as long-time leader Definite Plan faded, it looked like Rachael Blackmore, aboard Gateau De Miel, had the race at her mercy, only to tire approaching the last.

The 10-year-old mare Pont Aval, who had been pulled up on her previous start at Punchestown, came with a rattle and went away to win by seven lengths, giving her a first success over fences.

O’Keeffe said: “She jumped well and stayed going really well today. I was happy to get her jumping and travelling, and hopefully come home well with the light weight.

“They quickened turning in and I felt after the second last that a good jump at the last she would go and win her race. I’m delighted with her.

“She had some good runs over fences and things just happened fast for her at Punchestown the last day. She showed that she had a race like this in her and it’s great to get it.”

Paul Townend had earlier recorded a double for Mullins when dual Grade One-winning hurdler Saldier (7-4) took the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase by a nose from Vina Ardanza, and Hauturiere (6-5) produced a stylish success on chasing debut, taking the Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase by 10 lengths.

Saldier/Killarney
Saldier made a couple of mistakes but managed to get up on the line (Alan Magee/PA)a

Townend said of the latter: “It took her a while to get the hang of jumping hurdles but she jumped fences much better.

“I thought they went quite quick for what they were and I was happy to let it all happen in front of me. She came home well.

“I was at the pin of my collar at times and that to me said we were going a proper gallop.”

Mighty Tom came from last to first to claim the Listed Oyster Tavern Handicap Hurdle under a patient ride from Denis O’Regan to give trainer Cian Collins the biggest victory of his career thus far.

Doyen Ta Win, front-running winner of three handicaps in a row before defeat in a good conditions race, set out to make all the running again in the two-mile-one-furlong contest under Simon Torrens.

But when she tied up rapidly with two to jump, O’Regan seized his chance aboard the gelding, who had previously shown improved form on his stable debut when third to Seddon in a valuable Punchestown Festival handicap.

Mighty Tom
Mighty Tom gave Cian Collins a big win (Alan Magee/PA)

The result was never in doubt once the eight-year-old had flown the last and the 9-2 chance eased to a 10-length victory over favourite Magnor Glory.

Mighty Tom will now head to Galway and Collins said: “He’s a horse with any amount of ability. He’s had a few problems but we seem to have ironed them out now and hopefully he can keep going.

“We’ve changed the tactics with him and he’s more relaxed. Denis is the man for that job and gets on very well with him. It’s hard to watch but you have to let him at it.

“Denis said they flew, which probably suited him and he was able to stay on.

“He has loads of pace and stays the two miles very well. I’d say we’ll go for the Galway Hurdle now.

“That’s my biggest win and I’m from Kerry so it’s great to get it here.”

Shecouldbeanything/Killarney
Shecouldbeanything took the Mares Hurdle is good style (Alan Magee/PA)

Rapidly-improving mare Shecouldbeanything followed up her Punchestown Festival success with a second consecutive Listed victory when making virtually all the running in the Easyclean Tourist Attraction Mares Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old had previously flashed her potential when finishing a close-up sixth in the Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Having her seventh run since late November, the 4-1 shot showed plenty of guts under Donagh Meyler to first burn off last year’s winner Anna Bunina, then account for Walk With Paul, who jumped upsides at the last, the winner having briefly lost momentum when flattening the penultimate flight.

After her length success, the winning rider, who was deputising for sidelined regular pilot Jordan Gainford, said: “She did it well and is a hardy bit of stuff. I’m very grateful to be put up on her.

“She was headed after the second last but the harder it was, the tougher she dug in. She stuck out her head and should have a bright future.”

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