Double Up for Mullins and Townend 

We had some high class racing at Naas Racecourse yesterday, with four winning favourites across the seven contests. Willie Mullins and Paul Townend continued in typically good form that afternoon, bringing home two well-backed winners.

Read on for a report of the Naas card, brought to you by BOYLE Sports, who provide the latest horse racing odds.

We began with a two-mile maiden hurdle (2.00). The Ricky Doyle-ridden Star Of The Week justified his short price of 5/4 here, making all and leaving little in doubt, striding on well in the final stages to win by five lengths to the runner up; Dschingis Desire.

Next was a Listed juvenile hurdle run over two miles (2.30). Willie Mullins and Paul Townend brought in the first leg of their double here, courtesy of Majolique, who managed to win by four lengths despite jumping left and lacking fluency on occasion. The filly beat runner-up Michonne by four lengths.

Race three was a two-mile handicap hurdle (3.00). The result this time was somewhat unexpected. The market leader, Peaceinthevalley, weakened and disappointed, while 14/1 shot Give Him A Chance made progress from the midfield to the lead over the final two flights, snatching the lead by over a length. He was followed home by 28/1 outsider Catch The Beast.

The fourth race was a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier, run over a trip just shy of three miles (3.30). Another Mullins had the winner here; Emmet Mullins’ favourite Melbourne Shamrock fended off a challenge going towards the line to win by just a neck under Donagh Meyler. Minella Sixo was second.

Next was a bumper (4.00). State Pension was the short-priced favourite, but he weakened in the final furlong, leaving the prominent-running Low Kick to take the lead and go clear in the final 200 metres for Gordon Elliott, winning by an impressive 10 lengths.

The penultimate race was a two-mile Grade Three chase (4.30). The result was well anticipated; Willie Mullins’ popular Blood Destiny ran a typically strong race as 6/4 market leader, winning under Paul Townend in good style by over four lengths. Gordon Elliott’s Touch Me Not was second, followed by Henry De Bromhead’s Captain Guinness in third.

Last of all was a two and a half mile Listed novice handicap chase (5.00). Mark Walsh was the winning rider here, on 7/2 favourite Goraibhmaithagat, who ran for JP McManus. He did enough to keep his head in front of the challenging Mullins horse, Magic McColgan. The gold and green colours crossed the line half a length ahead of the runner-up.

Naas results - Sunday:

2.00 - Star Of The Week (5/4F) 

2.30 - Majolique (15/8) 

3.00 - Give Him A Chance (14/1) 

3.30 - Melbourne Shamrock (5/2F) 

4.00 - Low Kick (3/1) 

4.30 - Blood Destiny (6/4F) 

5.00 - Goraibhmaithagat (7/2F)