Spasida off the mark for Mullins at Naas

Willie Mullins is feels there is more to come from Spasiba after getting off the mark over fences at Naas on Sunday.

He was a 1-2 favourite upon his return to jumping and made all the running as Paul Townend rode him to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory. 

“It probably worked out workmanlike for his price, he was very short,” said Mullins.

“I’ll have to look at another half-mile for him and maybe going right-handed. He seemed to be leaning to the right, so a novice hurdle right-handed would be the obvious thing to do.

“It’s a big, open straight here in Naas, but he got the job done and that’s the important thing.”

In the Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle, Gavin Cromwell's Pinot Gris galloped confidently to victory under Keith Donoghue's skilled ride, crossing the line with a three-length advantage.

Cromwell said: “That was grand, the blinkers worked a treat. He’s a lazy, idle type of a horse and they just made him concentrate.

“If you look back to the Lartigue, he had a wander around up the straight and it’s a pity we didn’t have them on him then.

“We’ll maybe look for a handicap somewhere and he’s big enough to jump a fence in time.”

John McConnell’s Lieutenant Mayne was an extremely skimpy 1-4 after the withdrawal of his major rivals, and those short odds were justified as he romped to a 16-length victory. 

“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when the more fancied ones came out! We fancied him anyway, the form of the Fairyhouse bumper he finished sixth in is very good. I shouldn’t have run him and he’s better than that run,” said McConnell.

“We knew he was a nice horse and anything he was doing in bumpers was going to be a bonus.

“He jumps super. We don’t know where we’re going to end up with him, but he’s certainly a nice horse for the future.

“We’ll go baby steps with him and try to find a novice hurdle, maybe across the water, and then step him up in grade.”