Sunday 7 February 2016 16:32, UK
News of the meeting from Naas where Babbling Stream could have confirmed his place in Willie Mullins' Cheltenham team.
Babbling Stream could have confirmed his place in Willie Mullins' Cheltenham Festival team following a pleasing victory on his hurdling debut at Naas.
The five-year-old is under consideration for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle on March 15 after he pulled 12 lengths clear of The Granson in the Paddy Power Cheltenham Trial Sunday 21st February Maiden Hurdle.
Patrick Mullins, son and assistant to his father, said of the 5-4 favourite: "That was much more like what we have been expecting.
"He jumped fantastic and he showed a great turn of foot up the straight - he was very impressive.
"He's entered in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' and is for sale.
"He's by Authorized, like Nichols Canyon, and should be a good dual-purpose horse."
Gitane Du Berlais made it count from the front to claim the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase as the 6-5 favourite.
Trained by Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, the six-year-old old mare jumped pretty soundly in the Listed race over two miles and was not especially hard-pressed to deny I'm All You Need by seven lengths.
Carrigmoorna Rock suffered a heavy fall at the second-last under Phillip Enright and the Grade Three-winning hurdler, trained by Robert Tyner, was fatally injured.
Patrick Mullins said of Gitane Du Berlais: "Ruby was very happy with her, and she was entitled to do that at the weights.
"She's had a difficult season so far, and these mares' races are a good initiative. She's travelled to France before, and we may look for something there again.
"It's very unfortunate what happened to Robert Tyner's mare."
Tyner said: "It's an awful shame as her dam (Carrigmorna Flyer) died recently as well, and she has produced four black-type horses."
The County Cork handler later won the Follow Naas Racecourse On Facebook Maiden Hurdle with the Mark Walsh-ridden Fairly Legal (7-4 favourite).
Tyner said: "He's a nice horse and did it well. It was a great display of jumping, and he travelled well. He was off for a while and may have just needed the run (at Naas in January) the last day. He stays well."
Henry de Bromhead has Aintree in mind for Alisier D'Irlande after he excelled in the Hospitality At Naas Handicap Chase.
The 4-6 favourite, a faller on his chasing bow at Fairyhouse in January, looked really good in the hands of Andrew Lynch, readily accounting for Never Enough Time by 17 lengths.
De Bromhead said: "He jumped very well, although he did go out to the left, and I think he'll be better on better ground.
"I'd say we'll have to stick to left-handed tracks. He's entered in the Arkle at Cheltenham but that would seem a big step and I'll have to talk to Roger (Brookhouse, owner).
"There is a winners-of-two race at Leopardstown in three weeks' time, and he could run at Aintree in the Maghull. He's very exciting and I'm lucky to have him."
