Fences take Anzadam's mind off being keen, says Mullins

High-class hurdler Anzadam made a bright start over fences in the Into Kildare Beginners Chase at Naas.

The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old mixed it with the best around over hurdles with his last five starts coming at Grade One level, but on more than one occasion his enthusiasm proved his undoing.

The champion trainer hoped he would be more amenable faced with larger obstacles and that proved to be the case, with Paul Townend’s mount justifying cramped odds of 8-13 with a comprehensive seven-length success over Barry Connell’s Grade One-winning novice hurdler Eachtotheirown.

“I was much happier with the way he settled in the race than he has been doing over hurdles,” Mullins said of the winner.

“I think he enjoys his jumping and it takes his mind off being too keen. I’m looking forward to a nice season with him if he can keep improving like that.

“He has natural ability but he doesn’t often get to use it because he’s too enthusiastic. Fences seem to temper that. I’d imagine Christmas (at Leopardstown) will be a nice plan.”

Henry de Bromhead can begin to make bigger plans for Minella Machine after he sauntered a 22-length victory in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Another short-priced favourite at 4-9 after landing a Wexford bumper in the spring, the five-year-old was much the best under Darragh O’Keeffe.

De Bromhead said: “He did it really nicely. He’s a horse we like at home and you’re always hoping that they’ll go and do something like that

“It was a lovely start for him. I think there is a novice hurdle in Navan in mid-December, off the top of my head, but I haven’t discussed it with anyone so I don’t know yet.

“He’s a fine big horse, he jumped well bar the last. He’d be high up the pecking order in the yard.”

Paul Nolan continued his good run of form as Le Moulin Rouge claimed top honours in the Listed Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle.

The 11-2 market leader wandered under pressure in the hands of Eoin Staples, prompting a stewards’ inquiry, but he was two and a half lengths in front of Balko D’Ange at the line and the placings remained unaltered.

“The start didn’t suit him as he (Staples) had to sort of gun him as he missed the break a little bit when they did eventually go. Then he sort of launched at the first few hurdles,” said Nolan.

“For his first run in a handicap, we decided to make the running with him. He had a lovely weight and it worked. He stayed at it when they came at him.

“He’s a nice young horse and it was a great pot to get.”

The Mick Winters-trained Shellrunforbriggs (15-8 favourite) and Brian Hayes edged out Takenasred by a nose in the Mongey Communications Novice Handicap Chase, while the Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Irish EBF Mares (Pro/Am) Flat Race went to Gordon Elliott’s 6-5 favourite Ballydonagh Girl, ridden by Harry Swan.

“She’s a grand honest filly. She’ll probably want a bit further,” said Elliott.

“That was only a bonus, she’ll be better whenever she gets a jump. We’ll try and get a bit of black type somewhere in a bumper before we go the other road.”