Vischio records special success for Emmet and Danny Mullins

Family was to the fore as Vischio triumphed in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy And Maureen Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle, the opening event on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival.

Trained by Emmet Mullins and ridden by his cousin Danny, the pair are grandchildren of the race’s namesakes, who counted Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup winner Dawn Run among the stable stars when training and have spawned an Irish racing dynasty.

Their multiple champion trainer son Willie had a live chance in Straight Home this time around, but it was the younger Mullins generation who prevailed as Vischio made a late dash for the line after the final hurdle.

Making her debut for the yard, Vischio (8-1) shot clear of the field to win by five lengths from Kimy, with Qualimita back in third. British raider Queens Gamble could finish only sixth.

Vischio was bought for €52,000 in November and Emmet Mullins felt the purchase was a brave decision.

He said: “Danny and Jack (Cantillon) were talking at the sales back in October. She came advised from Danny, Jack was plucky to put his hand (up) and this race has been the plan since then.

“Once or twice I wasn’t sure where I had her, but luckily she just came right in the last week or two and she’s not a mare that takes a whole lot of work. It’s panned out in our favour for a change.

“If there was an early-season Pattern race on the Flat with cut in the ground, she’ll probably take her chance.”

Maureen Mullins died aged 94 last February and her grandson also managed to send out the winner of a race named in her honour at the Cheltenham Festival.

He added: “It’s been a special 12 months winning granny’s race, the National Hunt Chase, at the Cheltenham Festival as well.”

Emmet Mullins secured a second winner on the day as McLaurey justified 3-1 favouritism in the Timeless Sash Windows Handicap Hurdle.

Ridden by Mark Walsh, McLaurey hit the front with the post in sight and had to stay on all the way to the line as Storm Heart and Irish Panther were finishing fast.

Mullins said: “I was sure I had an improving horse coming here today. He’s definitely improved every run.

“He’s mentally not there yet, although Mark said today was the first time he ever travelled in a race.

“First time running in a big handicap here, the few non-runners played to our strengths and the slow ground over two miles. I think he’s a horse that can stretch out in trip over time.

“I think there is a big engine in there and we are only scratching at the surface. He’s still a big baby.

“I didn’t think two miles might be his cup of tea first time in a handicap, but it was a €150,000 pot and he had the mark to get in here.

“I was keen for him to run, and he’d learn if it didn’t happen for him today. It’s just great that it has, and he’s a horse going the right way.”

Backtonormal (11-4 favourite) was delivered with a perfectly-timed challenge to win the O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Leopardstown Handicap Chase.

Gavin Cromwell’s charge had failed to win in any of his three previous runs over fences but with 5lb claimer Conor Stone-Walsh in the saddle, there was plenty of confidence behind him.

Sequestered made a good race on it after the last, with the pair racing apart from each other, but Backtonormal held a three-and-a-quarter-length advantage at the line, with Monbeg Park a further neck back in third after a late spurt.

Cromwell said: “The step up in trip and niceish ground suited and Conor was very good on him. He’s a good rider.

“His work lately has been good. We thought he’d run a big race, and he duly did.

“I wouldn’t rule out going for the two-and-a-half-mile novice handicap at Cheltenham.”