Mullins pleased with jumping start for Spasida

Willie Mullins is confident there is more to come from Spasiba after opening his account over obstacles in the Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle at Naas.

Runner-up on his hurdling bow at Limerick last Christmas, the five-year-old had since plied his trade in competitive handicaps on the Flat, most recently finishing ninth in the Irish Cesarewitch.

He was a 1-2 favourite reverting to jumping and made every yard of the running on his way to a two-and-a-quarter-length success under Paul Townend.

“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.”

Gavin Cromwell’s Pinot Gris (2-1) cruised to victory in the Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle, pulling three lengths clear under a confident ride from Keith Donoghue.

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.”

Lieutenant Mayne landed cramped odds with the minimum of fuss in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

John McConnell’s charge as a prohibitively-priced 1-4 shot after a couple of his major rivals were taken out and barely came off the bridle in winning by 16 lengths in the hands of Ben Harvey.

“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.”