Invitation Only wins at Gowran
Saturday 26 November 2016 15:42, UK
A review of Saturday's meeting at Gowran as Willie Mullins' Invitation Only made his first start over hurdles a winning one.
Invitation Only made his first start over hurdles a winning one at Gowran.
The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old has a lofty reputation and while it was not all plain-sailing in the Gowran Park, Race That Stops A County Thyestes Jan 26th 2017 Maiden Hurdle, he got the better of Barra by two and three-quarter lengths after a brief tussle from the last.
Mullins said of the Graham Wylie-owned 1/4 favourite: "That was a good jumping performance, and we'll look for a novice now around Christmas.
"He will have no problem going up in trip.
"We think he stays all day, and I was delighted to see him show that turn of foot."
Invitation Only earned quotes of around 10/1 about winning the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
Andrew Lynch could run Zabana in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas after he claimed victory in the Gowran Park Thanks To All Our Customers In 2016 Chase.
The 11/8 favourite tidily did the business under Davy Russell to deny Kitten Rock by a length and a half.
Lynch said: "They went some gallop and I thought they went too fast. He's not 100 per cent fit yet but he had enough to get there.
"He might go to Leopardstown if the ground stayed right for him. I'll have to talk to Chris (Jones, owner) but we are taking it one step at a time."
Mullins intends to step Bellshill up class after he made a successful fencing debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
The two-time Grade One-winning hurdler was sent on his way at odds of 2/5 under Ruby Walsh and had far too many guns for Balko Des Flos, who was three lengths adrift at the line.
"You would have to be happy with that," said Mullins.
"He appeared to jump great, and when Ruby asked him for one at the second-last he really gave it to him. I'm looking forward to his next rung up the ladder, and he can step up to three miles any time."
