'It was a fantastic performance' - Minella Cocooner slashed for Albert Bartlett

Saturday: Leopardstown

Willie Mullins plundering the opening race of the Dublin Racing Festival shouldn't have surprised anyone but Minella Cocooner caused a minor upset in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners-sponsored Grade 1 Novice Hurdle courtesy of a typically astute Danny Mullins front-running steer.

With Paul Townend preferring Bronn, Minella Cocooner, who came here on the back of a Navan maiden hurdle win, returned an SP of 11-1. The King George-winning rider bucked Minella Cocooner out in front and, while Eric Bloodaxe kept him company at times early on, for the most part he was able to dictate his own fractions.

1.05 Leopardstown: full result and replay

Minella Cocooner, owned by David Bobbett and who is now eligible for a €50,000 stable staff bonus at the Cheltenham Festival, jumped with tremendous precision and, although Hollow Games did emerge to briefly lay down a challenge on the run to two-out, the partnership eased clear around the home bend.

Minella Crooner, who had made a costly mistake at the second-last, kept on gamely to deny favourite Hollow Games the runner-up berth, but the manner of his fellow John Nallen graduate's victory was emphatic.

Given the gale force winds blowing around Leopardstown, it was no mean feat to post such a fluent performance from the front.

Willie Mullins: enjoyed a second straight winner in this raceCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He is very slick at his hurdles for a horse who stays well," said the winning rider of Minella Cocooner. "All the way down the back he was getting a length or two at each hurdle, which allowed me to fill him up.

"Turning across the top is where the worst of the wind is and you'd be slightly disoriented as to what's going on around you, but I had a few lengths up my sleeve and I was able to ease off the gas there so I knew I'd have more for the business end.

"Hollow Games moved up coming to the second-last but I was happy I would pick up and battle with him, but it was a nice surprise to see how easily I got away from him. It was a fantastic performance."

The triumph was the champion trainer's second in a row in this following Gaillard Du Mesnil in 2021, and his 24th in the 61st DRF race since the event was inaugurated in 2018.

Danny Mullins: executed an excellent ride from the frontCredit: Patrick McCann

So pleased was he to enjoy the moment, Mullins didn't even want to think about which race might suit the winner best at Cheltenham in March, although Paddy Power slashed him to 6-1 (from 20) for the Albert Bartlett over three miles.

"I don't see any need to step up in trip," Mullins suggested, before adding: "It's a great day today – we'll enjoy it."

Of the tactics, he added: "We decided there might not be much pace so we decided to make it and Danny was very good on him in front. He got some tremendous jumps from him, got his breathers after his hurdles and paced it beautifully, so it was a great result for all connections."

Read more Saturday reports:

Irish Gold Cup: 'I said he'd win or pull up' - Elliott joy as Conflated shocks Gold Cup rivals

Expert jury: 'He was wildly impressive and is one of the most fluent jumpers around'

Irish Arkle: Blue Lord survives stewards' inquiry to continue Willie Mullins hot streak

Spring Juvenile Hurdle: Vauban vying for Triumph Hurdle favouritism after awesome Spring Juvenile win

Scilly Isles: 'I gave it a Superman' - Deutsch delight at first Grade 1 with L'Homme Presse

Sandown: Josh Moore enjoys first success of comeback and rewards punter's £75,000 bet

Wetherby: Cheltenham Ahoy! Lucinda Russell looking to Brown Advisory with star novice

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