RACING: LIMERICK REPORTPrince De Beauchene, ante-post favourite for last season's Grand National before injury intervened, made a successful reappearance in the Woodlands House Hotel Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.
The Graham Wylie-owned nine-year-old had his last start in the Bobbyjo Chase in February but despite the testing conditions, he looked in control throughout.
Trainer Willie Mullins attempted to replace his nephew Emmet Mullins in the saddle with his son, Patrick, who still needs one more victory to break the record for number of winners in a calendar year by an amateur, but the Limerick stewards vetoed the move.
Emmet Mullins tracked Clonbanan Lad for much of the race before taking up the running half a mile out. The 3 to 1 shot then cruised to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory over Venture Capital.
Emmet Mullins said afterwards: “He was very impressive and he was always going very easy. He travelled and jumped great. He got free for the first time turning in.
“I would imagine Aintree is the plan for him now and hopefully he will get there in one piece.”
Prince De Beauchene was cut to 16 to 1 (from 25 to 1) for the Grand National by Stan James.
Jockey Con McSweeney recorded his first racecourse success when he guided the Robert Tyner-trained Girl In Blue to victory in the bumper.
McSweeney (24) is from Ballincollig, Co Cork, and has ridden 21 point-to-point winners.
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