Fun Fun Fun makes her mark at Limerick

A step up in trip proved no barrier to success for the free-going Fun Fun as she galloped her rivals into submission in the Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase at Limerick.

The seven-year-old was bidding to provide Willie Mullins with a fifth victory in the last nine runnings of this Grade Three contest, with four-time Grade One winner Kemboy and subsequent Irish Grand National hero Burrows Saint notable names on the roll of honour.

Fun Fun Fun, a Grade Two-winning bumper mare and a successful at Listed and Grade Three level over hurdles, made a fine start to her career over fences at Naas in early January, but disappointed when sent to Exeter for a Listed prize last month.

However, Paul Townend’s mount was the 7-4 favourite to bounce back to form on her first start over three miles and after taking the lead from an early stage, she never looked in any real danger of being reeled in, eventually coming home with 13 lengths in hand over Harry Des Ongrais.

Patrick Mullins, who also bred Fun Fun Fun, said: “It has taken us a long time to figure out her best trip as over hurdles she was running too keen and doing too much. With more jumps, she gets a chance to breathe and is just so quick at her fences.

“We didn’t want to go to Cheltenham this year after her run in Exeter, but we drew a line through that. Maybe the Willow Warm Gold Cup (at Fairyhouse) could suit and I’d say we’ll be working backwards from the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham next year with her.”

Mullins was completing a treble on the card following the earlier victories of 4-9 favourite Jalila Moriviere in the Party Time Ltd Mares Hurdle and 3-1 shot Dr Eggman in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle, ridden by Mark Walsh and Townend respectively.

Of Jalila Moriviere, Frank Berry, racing manager to winning owner JP McManus, said: “She had different ground today and she seems to enjoy jumping. You’d be happy with her and she looks like she can jump a fence in future.

“If there is something for her in Punchestown I’m sure she’ll run and she’ll tip away for the summer. Maybe she has a little to find for a Galway Hurdle but you never know what way things will go.”

A quality field assembled for the concluding Kevin McManus Bookmaker Champion (Pro/Am) Flat Race and Light Up The Dark sent favourite-backers home happy with a decisive Listed success.

A 6-5 shot to follow up her debut win in the McManus silks at Naas in early January, Joseph O’Brien’s youngster travelled strongly throughout under John Gleeson and responded well when push came to shove to repel the challenge of promising newcomer Starting Fifteen by two and a quarter lengths.

Berry added: “They probably didn’t go a mad gallop, but she did the job nicely. There were a lot of horses there turning in, but she quickened nicely and put it to bed.

“She had a good attitude and the graded mares’ bumper at Punchestown might suit.”