RACING:The pleasant surprises kept coming for Willie Mullins at Fairyhouse yesterday when Outlander completed a 40 to 1 hat-trick for the champion trainer in the bumper.
Carrying the Gigginstown Stud colours, Outlander scored a five-length success and put the seal on a day highlighted for Mullins by Zaidpour and Arvika Ligeonniere’s Grade One wins.
“It’s been a better day than I thought it would be,” he said. “I thought one might come through. This one has surprised me . . . I thought he was a galloper but he showed gears there.”
Outlander could be switched to hurdles now and there’s no question Our Conor is sticking to flights after making it two-from-two over jumps in the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle.
The odds-on favourite was a easy winner over Stocktons Wing and earned 14-1 quotes for the Triumph at Cheltenham.
“He loves it and has been a natural ever since the first day he saw a hurdle,” said trainer Dessie Hughes. “He has proved now he’s decent and you have to say he is a Triumph horse if he keeps progressing.”
Another step up the black-type ladder is next for Our Conor in the Grade Two UAE Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Claiming rider Mark Enright completed a 142 to 1 chase double on Avondhu Lady in the mares race and Murchu who got the best of a blanket finish to the long-distance handicap.
