A Tipp For Gold mirrored the success of opening race winner Born In Purple by leading from start to finish in Connolly's Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle.
Acquired for €25,000 at the Goffs Land Rover Sale in June 2022, the Westerner gelding had shown promise with two placings in four bumper starts, including a solid fourth on his hurdles debut at Ballinrobe last month.
After tackling an extended two miles and six furlongs at Ballinrobe, he returned to the minimum distance today as a well-supported 15/8 favourite, having been backed from 5/2 on the course.
Trained by Mags Mullins and ridden by her son Danny, the five-year-old picked up the pace approaching the penultimate flight. Once clear, he found plenty, crossing the line three and three-quarters of a length ahead.
De Temps En Temps (5/1) finished encouragingly in second under Keith Donoghue for Gavin Cromwell, while Herbies Rover (11/1), who stumbled at the last, took third another two lengths back.
"It’s a lovely win; he’s a grand horse and I really like him," Mags Mullins said. "He had solid winter form and jumped beautifully in his last race. I’m thrilled with him and will see how he is when we get home before deciding on his next steps. He’s improving, and I don’t think he was fully at his best today, so I expect he’ll come on again. Willie (Mullins) had no runner today, and it’s always a plus when Danny wants to ride."