Majborough produced a tremendous performance to take part in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.
Willie Mullins chose to go straight over the fences with his ‘Victory Barrier’ hero and he looked a natural as he confined himself to the helm of affairs.
Stablemates Tullyhill and Asian Master followed him and it was Tullyhill, also a smart performer in his bumper days, who proved the biggest threat.
That challenge was only short-lived, however, as four-year-old Mayborough and Mark Walsh went clear from the last to win by six-and-a-half lengths as the easy even-money favourite.
Walls said. “He was very good. There were a few little rookie mistakes, but I wouldn’t mind that on his first run.
“He had to do it the hard way up front but when Paul (Townend, at Tullyhill) came to him, we had quite a drive in the last two and he was nice and sweet to them.
“Fences his size were always going to prepare him and it was a great introduction for him.
“He left the front, he didn’t like me. He has outfits and will stay, so he has to look forward to it.
“Willie’s other two horses in the race were no geldings, so it was a good test for him.”
Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, added:
“We’ll see how he comes out of it and a grade two at Naas (January 5) could be an option. We can only be pleased with the way he won and jumped.”
Mullins struck again when Townend’s Judicieuse Allen (7/1) made an irresistible late charge to get up in the McInerney Properties Rated Novice Chase.
Townend said: “He was jumping for fun, but he was doing too much at times during the race, so when they ran around me three out, I tried to go with them without fully committing.
“I had to give him a chance to recharge his batteries and he finally jumped well. He has a lot of heart and found a lot on the run.
“He likes to jump fences and stays well. He doesn’t mind that ground and will go on slower ground too.”
Referring to Tullyhill in the first race, he said:
“I’d say we’ve been beaten by a very good horse, but I’ll be happy with him if he can build on that.”
